Tacky Finish and Textile Materials and Articles Treated Therewith

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to tacky finishes and to the textile materials and articles treated with the tacky finishes. The tacky finishes provide improved processing features for end-use articles that contain such finishes. The tacky finish may be combined with other adhesion promotion finishes in the treatment of textile materials. The textile materials and articles may be used as rubber reinforcing materials, such as automotive tire cap ply, single end tire cord, carcass reinforcement and side wall reinforcement. End-use articles that contain the treated textile materials include rubber-containing materials such as automobile tires, belts, and hoses. This invention also relates to the methods for manufacturing the treated textile materials and articles.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/354,853, entitled “Tacky Finish and Textile Materials andArticles Treated Therewith” which was filed on Jun. 15, 2010, and whichis entirely incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tacky finishes and to the textile materialsand articles treated with the tacky finishes. The tacky finishes provideimproved processing features for end-use articles that contain suchfinishes. The tacky finish may be combined with other adhesion promotionfinishes in the treatment of textile materials. The textile materialsand articles may be used as rubber reinforcing materials, such asautomotive tire cap ply, single end tire cord, carcass reinforcement andside wall reinforcement. End-use articles that contain the treatedtextile materials include rubber-containing materials such as automobiletires, belts, and hoses. This invention also relates to the methods formanufacturing the treated textile materials and articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the area of tire manufacturing, tires are typically made from singleor multiple carcasses of substantially U-shaped sections having metalbeads at the inner perimeters of the walls. Support can be provided to atire carcass by steel cord belt plies extending around the outerperiphery of the carcass and across the width of the tread. Such steelbelt plies are relatively inextensible in the intended direction ofrotation of the tire and include steel belt cords disposed parallel tothat direction or at a low angle thereto. The belt plies act to restrictthe movement of the tread and give the tire better road-holdingproperties. Support such as this type is particularly important in aradial tire, where the carcass is formed from a rubberized woven fabrichaving relatively inextensible reinforcing cords running transversely,i.e. radially, from bead to bead.

Technical difficulties have been encountered in incorporating steelbelts into the tread area of the tire. One of the difficulties lies inensuring good adhesion between the steel and the rubber. The centrifugalforce of the steel belts can cause difficulty in the adhesion of thebelt within the tire. Additionally, movement of the steel belts athigher speeds tends to create excessive temperatures in the tire, whichcan cause tread failure and de-lamination of the layers comprising thetire. The problem of de lamination is particularly noticeable in theshoulder area of the tire.

One solution of the problem previously used by tire manufactures is touse a layer of calendared fabric laid circumferentially over the belt.This calendared fabric can also be used with wide fabric strips placedover the shoulder area of the tire, retaining the edges of the steelbelt in a specific location of the tire. An example of this type of tirecan be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,117, issued to Poque et al. on 18Aug. 1981. In order to cover the entire circumference of the tire and beretained in place, the prior art fabric must overlap itself across thewidth of tire at some location on the circumference. The overlappingarea helps retain the prior art fabric around the circumference of thetire. However, because this type of overlapping adds weight, thepotential length of the overlap is limited. A shorter overlap limits thelength of the fabric and thereby the strength that the fabric can giveto the tire. Additionally, the overlapping section of the fabric causesan uneven thickness of the fabric around the circumference.

To overcome this difficulty, a rubber tape was formed that had cordsdisposed longitudinally within the tape, and was wound around the beltplies and across the width of the tire. An example of this type of tirecan be found in WO 2005/002883, filed by Pirelli Pneumatic S.P.A., andpublished on 13 Jan. 2005. The continuous nature of the tape providedgreater strength. However, the longitudinal yarns were positioned in aspaced apart relationship by the rubber of the tape, which does notprovide resistance to the separation of the yarns by items that probe atthe area between the yarns.

Additional technical issues are encountered during the tiremanufacturing process due to the fact that the tire itself is comprisedof many separate layers that are stacked or layered on top of oneanother until the final vulcanization step, which physically adheres allof the layers together into the final tire product. As these layers areadded to form the tire, they have the ability to undesirably shift andmove. As a result, when the tire approaches the final step ofvulcanization, they layers may be out of place and could result inimproperly formed tire products. Due to the seriousness of forming agood, quality tire, this issue of shifting and movement of the layersneeds to be minimized as much as possible. The present inventionprovides a solution to obviate or mitigate these difficulties of theprior art.

The tacky finish of the present disclosure is well suited for providingadherence and stability to several layers of the tire carcass. The tackyfinish adheres the textile cap ply layer of the tire to the outer treadlayer and to the inner belt ply layer, thus, preventing these layersfrom moving and/or shifting during the tire manufacturing process. Thetacky finish provides these features without interfering with the finalvulcanization of the layers of the tire. Furthermore, the tacky finishis temperature and humidity stable, providing adequate productshelf-life that makes it suitable for use end-use products after someaging has occurred.

The inclusion of textile materials coated with the tacky finish of thepresent invention also allows for a reduction in the amount of othermaterials needed in formation of the tire. For example, the need foradditional rubber coatings may be reduced or eliminated altogetherbecause these rubber coating layers are no longer needed to help improvethe adherence of layers of the tire together. Furthermore, the additionof a tacky finish, or textile materials containing the tacky finish,also results in the elimination of some processes normally needed toform the tire. For example, at least one textile component of the tirecurrently requires exposure to a calendaring process, in order to makeit suitable for use in the tire. By incorporating a textile materialhaving a tacky finish thereon, the need for the calendaring process canbe eliminated, resulting in reduced complexity in the process ofmanufacturing tires. For these reasons, and others that will bedescribed herein, the present tack finish represents a useful advanceover the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein is a composition for adhering textile materials andrubber-containing articles comprising: (a) at least oneresorcinol-formaldehyde-latex composition; and (b) a tacky finish,wherein the tacky finish is comprised of: (i) at least one tacky resin;(ii) at least one unvulcanized rubber; and (iii) at least one adhesionpromoter.

Further provided herein is a coated textile material comprising: (a) atextile substrate; and (b) a composition comprising: (i) at least oneresorcinol-formaldehyde-latex compound; and (ii) a tacky finish, whereinthe tacky finish is comprised of at least one tacky resin, at least oneunvulcanized rubber, and at least one adhesion promoter.

Yet another alternative includes a composition for adhering textilematerials and rubber-containing articles comprising: (a) at least oneresorcinol-formaldehyde-latex composition and at least one tacky resin;and (b) a tacky finish, wherein the tacky finish is comprised of: (i) atleast one tacky resin; (ii) at least one unvulcanized rubber; and (iii)at least one adhesion promoter.

Further provided herein is a coated textile material comprising: (a) atextile substrate; and (b) a composition, wherein the compositioncomprises: (i) at least one resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex compositionand at least one tacky resin; and (ii) a tacky finish, wherein the tackyfinish is comprised of at least one tacky resin, at least oneunvulcanized rubber, and at least one adhesion promoter.

Further provided herein is a tire comprising: (a) at least one layer oftextile material coated with a composition, wherein the compositioncomprises: (i) at least one resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex composition;and (ii) a tacky finish, wherein the tacky finish is comprised of atleast one tacky resin, at least one unvulcanized rubber, and at leastone adhesion promoter; and (b) at least one layer of vulcanized rubber,wherein the vulcanization of the vulcanized rubber occurred at leastpartially after inclusion in the tire.

Also provided herein is a method for forming a textile-rubber compositehaving a tacky finish comprising the steps of: (a) providing at leastone layer of textile material; (b) applying aresorcinol-formaldehyde-latex composition to at least one surface of thetextile material to form a coated textile material; (c) heating/curingthe coated textile material to form a textile-rubber composite; (d)applying a tacky finish to at least one surface of the textile-rubbercomposite, wherein said tacky finish comprises: (i) at least one tackyresin; (ii) at least one unvulcanized rubber; and (iii) at least oneadhesion promoter.

Also provided herein is a method for forming a textile-rubber compositehaving a tacky finish comprising the steps of: (a) providing a textilematerial; (b) applying a mixture comprising aresorcinol-formaldehyde-latex composition and a tacky resin to at leastone surface of the textile material to form a coated textile material;(c) heating/curing the coated textile material to form a textile-rubbercomposite; (d) applying a tacky finish to at least one surface of thetextile-rubber composite, wherein the tacky finish comprises: (i) atleast one tacky resin; (ii) at least one unvulcanized rubber; and (iii)at least one adhesion promoter.

Yet another alternative includes a cap ply comprising: (a) a textilesubstrate having a tacky finish, the tacky finish comprising (i) atleast one tacky resin; (ii) at least one unvulcanized rubber; and (iii)at least one adhesion promoter.

Further provided herein is a tire comprising a cap ply wound over asteel belt ply, wherein the cap ply comprises: (a) a textile substratehaving a tacky finish, the tacky finish comprising: (i) at least onetacky resin; (ii) at least one unvulcanized rubber; and (iii) at leastone adhesion promoter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cutaway partial view of a pneumatic radial tire illustratingone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cutaway partial view of a leno tape for use in thetire of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cutaway side view of a leno tape before tireconstruction.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cutaway side view of a leno tape after tireconstruction.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway partial view of a pneumatic tire according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All U.S. and foreign patents and U.S. patent applications disclosed inthis specification are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, the preferred features andembodiments of the invention are hereinafter set forth. Unless otherwiseindicated, all parts, percentages and ratios are by weight. The term“copolymer” is intended to include polymers containing two, three ormore types of monomer units. The term “styrene-butadiene rubber” may berepresented as “SBR,” and “nitrile-butadiene rubber” may be representedas “NBR.”

Referring now to the Figures and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, thereis shown a tire 100, comprising side walls 107 joined to a tread 500 byshoulders 108. The tire 100 includes a carcass 200 covered by the tread500. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the tire 100 is a radial tire. However, thepresent invention is not limited to radial tires and can also be usedwith other tire constructions. The carcass 200 is formed from one ormore plies of tire cord 210 terminating at the inner periphery of thetire in metal beads 220, with at least one belt ply 230 locatedcircumferentially around the tire cord 210 in the area of the tread 500.The tire cord 210 is a rubberized woven fabric having its warps formedfrom relatively inextensible reinforcing cords 211.

In the tire shown in FIG. 1, the carcass 200 is constructed so that thereinforcing cords 211 are running substantially radially of the intendeddirection of rotation R of the tire 100. The reinforcing cord maycomprise the textile material described herein. In one embodiment, thereinforcing cord may comprise an RFL (resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex)finish composition and a tacky finish. The tacky finish may be appliedover the RFL finish. Alternatively, the tacky finish composition and theRFL finish may be combined and applied to the cord fabric. In anotherembodiment, the reinforcing cord includes a tacky finish describedherein. No calendered rubber layer is required to be included with thereinforcing cord before being incorporated into a tire.

With respect to general construction of pneumatic tires, and inparticular to the construction of ply tires with a fiber-reinforcedcarcass, the fiber-reinforced carcass may include one or more plies ofcarcass reinforcement fabric having a warp or machine direction and aweft or cross-machine direction. Substantially inextensible reinforcingcords may extend in the cross-machine direction. The carcassreinforcement fabric is typically of one-piece construction with themachine direction of the fabric disposed in substantial alignment withthe rotation of the tire and with the reinforcing cords disposed in aradial pattern transverse to the rotation of the tire.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the belt plies 230 are formed withrelatively inextensible warp materials 231, such as steel cordreinforcing warps, which run in the intended direction of rotation R ofthe tire or, more usually, at a slight angle thereto. The angle of theinextensible warp materials 231 can vary with the method of constructionor application. The belt plies 230 extend across the width of the tread500 of the tire terminating in edges 232 in the area of the shoulder 108of the tire 100, i.e. the area where the tread 500 meets the side wall107.

The cap ply layer 300 is located between the belt plies 230 and thetread 500. The cap ply layer 300 may be formed from a leno tape 310which is wound circumferentially around the carcass 200 of the tire 100in a flat helical pattern, resulting in a leno cap ply layer.Alternatively, the cap ply layer may be constructed of knit cap ply orany other fiber and/or fabric construction that is suitable for use intire manufacturing.

In one embodiment, the leno tape 310 is wound more frequently at theedges of the tire than the middle of the tire. As illustrated in FIG. 3,the leno tape 310 includes a pair of warp yarns, the first warp yarn 311and the second warp yarn 313, and weft yarns 312. The leno weave is aweave such that the warp yarns (311, 313) of the warp yarn pairs arearranged with one warp yarn twisted around the other warp yarn betweenpicks of the weft yarn 312. The leno weave gives the leno tape 310firmness and strength to an open-weave fabric and prevents slippage anddisplacement of the warp and weft yarns. The first and second warp yarns311, 313 extend longitudinally along the leno tape 310, which also warparound the carcass 200 due to the wrapping of the leno tape 310 aroundthe carcass 200. It is the first and second warp yarns 311 and 313 thatprovide most of the reinforcement of the leno cap ply layer 300.

The first warp yarn 311 and the second warp yarn 313 are made ofdifferent materials such that the second warp yarn 313 has a force ofelongation of between about 1% and 40% of the force of elongation of thefirst warp yarn 311, the second warp yarn has an elongation at break ofgreater than 2% and is in tension. Force of elongation is the forceneeded to elongate the yarn by a fixed amount, or the slope of thestress-strain curve. In a preferred embodiment, the second warp yarn 313has a force of elongation of between about 1.5% and 20% of the firstwarp yarn 311 force of elongation. Once woven, the two warp yarns havedifferent amounts of crimp, the second warp yarn has less crimp than thefirst warp yarn. As can be seen in FIG. 4, when woven the second warpyarn 313 has much less crimp than the first warp yarn 311. One way ofaccomplishing this is to weave the two warp yarns at different tensionswith the second warp yarn at a much higher tension than the first warpyarn 311. This may be accomplished, for example, by using a two-beamleno weave machine. Other ways include, but are not limited to changingthe tension on the warp yarns and cap ply layer during dipping, resintreatment, and heat setting. When the leno tape is subsequentlysubjected to a tensile force, the second warp yarn 313 elongates untilthe crimp is removed and first yarn 311 is as shown in FIG. 5 in theleno tape 310.

During manufacture of the tire, the leno tape 310 is wound around thecarcass. A small amount of elongation is necessary for various processesin the manufacture of the tire, such as so that the cap ply wrappedcarcass may be removed from the mandrel where it was wound. Theelongation properties of the leno tape 310 accommodate the minor amountof stretching needed for the tire manufacturing process. Preferably,this elongation is about 2%. After the wrapped carcass is taken off themandrel the leno tape 310 is stretched such that the first warp yarn 311is straightened and a side view of the fabric resembles FIG. 5. Theincrease in force per percent elongation after the transition locationis needed to form a structurally sound pneumatic tire.

The first warp yarn 311 is selected such that the yarn provides thedesired strength of the leno cap ply layer 300 to prevent the belt ply230 from moving outward in the tire 100 and to protect the rubber in thetire 100 from sharp portions of the belt plies 230. The first warp yarns311 can be multifilament yarns and are formed of a material which willrestrain the belt plies 230. The first warp yarns preferably have amodulus of between about 25 and 153 GPa, more preferably about 50 to 110GPa. Yarns with lower modulus might for desired for strength, but maynot be desired in some applications because of their large profile. Inone preferred embodiment, the first warp yarn 311 comprises aramid.Preferably, the first warp yarn has between about 80 and 300 twists permeter, more preferably about 100 to 250 twists per meter. Varying thetwists per meter can affect the force per elongation.

In one embodiment, the first warp yarns 311 may be hybrid yarns. Thesehybrid yarns are made up of at least 2 fibers of different fibermaterial (for example, cotton and nylon). These different fibermaterials can produce hybrid yarns with different chemical and physicalproperties. Hybrid yarns are able to change the physical properties ofthe final product they are used in. Some preferred hybrid yarns includean aramid fiber with a nylon fiber, an aramid fiber with a rayon fiber,and an aramid fiber with a polyester fiber. In one embodiment, thehybrid first yarn 311 being aramid combined with nylon, rayon, orpolyester is paired with a thinner second yarn 313 of a lower modulusyarn such as nylon or polyester. The properties of the hybrid firstyarns 311 have the same as the yarns forming them, but the combinationof the two types of yarns gives a specific force elongation curve. Forthe hybrid first yarns 311, the higher the amount of twist in the yarn,the flatter the elongation curve.

The second warp yarn 313 provides a crimp in the first warp yarn 311 ofthe leno tape 310 for manufacturability (with the crimp essentiallybecoming zero once the cap ply wrapped carcass is removed from themandrel). The second warp yarn 313 in one embodiment has a modulus ofbetween 5 and 10 GPa. Preferably, the second warp yarn is a nylon(including nylon 6, nylon 6,6, nylon 4,6, nylon 4,10). The second warpyarn 313 preferably has between about 80 and 300 twists per meter, morepreferably about 100 to 250 twists per meter.

In one embodiment, the second warp yarns 313 may be hybrid yarns. Thesehybrid yarns are made up of at least 2 fibers of different fibermaterial (for example, cotton and nylon). These different fibermaterials can produce hybrid yarns with different chemical and physicalproperties. Hybrid yarns are able to change the physical properties ofthe final product they are used in. Some preferred hybrid yarns includean aramid fiber with a nylon fiber, an aramid fiber with a rayon fiber,and an aramid fiber with a polyester fiber.

The weft yarns 312 hold the warp yarns 311 and 313 in the desired spacedapart relationship. The weft yarn 312 can be a spun staple yarn, amultifilament yarn, and/or a monofilament yarn.

Preferred examples of suitable materials for the weft yarns 312 includecotton, rayon, polyester, polyamide, aramids (including meta and paraforms), nylon, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, nylon (includingnylon 6, nylon 6,6, and nylon 4,6), PBO, and PEN.

The leno tape 310 is constructed with a width preferably of about 5 to25 millimeters. More preferably, the leno tape 310 is constructed with awidth of about 7 to 15 millimeters. It is important to form a uniformflat layer of the leno tape 310 across the surface of the carcass 200 ofthe tire 100. The width of the leno tape 310 affects this property. Ifthe leno tape 310 is used in a helical wrapping process, wider stripswill cause buckles on the leading edge of the wrap due to excessivewidth of the materials. Shorter widths provide difficulties inmanufacturing the tire 100 due to an excessive number of revolutionsnecessary in the wrapping procedure to achieve the desired coverage ofthe carcass 200 with the leno tape 310.

The leno tape 310 is an open construction fabric which permits thestrike through of the rubber in the tire 100 for a better bondedconstruction. The openness of the fabric used for the leno tape 310 isusually determined by the spacing and character of the first and secondwarp yarns 311 and 313. The weft yarns 312 are typically spaced asnecessary to maintain the position of the warp yarns 311 and 313.Preferably, the fabric has 40-75 warp pairs per decimeter and 10 to 30weft pairs per decimeter, the first warp yarns are 1100/2 dtex aramid,the second warp yarns are 470/1 dtex nylon, and the weft yarns are1220/1 dtex rayon. In one embodiment, the openings formed by the warpyarns and weft yarns are such that the openings will be within about ±5%of the mean opening size.

In another embodiment where the fabric is a 54 warp/22 weft perdecimeter fabric with the same materials as described above, the pairsof warp yarns 311, 313 are spaced about 0.95 millimeters apart and theweft yarns 312 are spaced about 3.66 millimeters apart to provide a meanopening size of 3.48 mm². In yet another embodiment where the fabric isa 20 warp/10 weft per decimeter fabric with the same materials for theyarns, the pairs of warp yarns 311 and 313 are spaced about 4.31millimeters apart and the weft yarns 312 are spaced about 9.94millimeters apart to provide a mean opening size of 42.84 mm². In yetanother embodiment where the fabric is a 75 warp/30 weft per decimeterfabric with the same materials for the yarns, the pairs of warp yarns311 and 313 are spaced about 0.43 millimeters apart and the weft yarns312 are spaced about 2.36 millimeters apart to provide a mean openingsize of 1.01 mm².

If the leno tape 310 is used in a flat helical pattern, the patterntypically will need more than three full revolutions of the leno tape310 around the carcass 200 of the tire 100. The length of leno tape 310will depend on the diameter of the tire 100, the width of the leno tape310, and the amount of coverage provided by the leno tape 310. Theapproximate minimum length of a leno tape 310 in a leno cap ply layer300, with only one layer of leno tape 310 and no gaps or over lappingregions, can be calculated according to the following formula:

length=2

rw/t

-   -   where        is 3.14, r is the radius of the tire, w is the width of the area        of the tire to be covered, and t is the width of the tape. As an        example, for a 185/60/R14 tire, the length of a 13 millimeter        wide leno tape 310 would be a minimum of about 15 linear meters        in length, and can have an additional amount of about 2-3 meters        for overlapping itself in the shoulder area.

Greater strength can be built into the leno tape 310 by constructing theleno tape 310 such that the first and second warp yarns 311 and 313 ofthe outermost warp yarn pairs in the leno tape 310, run longitudinallyfor the length of the leno tape 310 as continuous uncut yarns. Evengreater strength can be built into the leno tape 310 by constructing theleno tape 310 with all of the first and second warp yarns 311 and 313run longitudinally the length of the leno tape 310 as continuous uncutyarns.

The leno tape 310 can preferably be treated with an adhesion promoter.Typical examples of adhesion promoters included resorcinol formaldehydelatex (RFL), isocyanate based material, epoxy based material, phenolicresins, and materials based on melamine formaldehyde resin.

Preferably, the leno tape 310 is located edge to edge as it is laid onthe carcass 200 of the tire 100, and is wrapped around the entire beltply 230 area of the tire 100. In one embodiment, the leno tape 100 iswrapped around the carcass 200 of the tire 100 such that the leno capply layer 300 extends beyond the edges 232 of the belt plies 230, underthe shoulder 108 area of the tire 100. Overlapping the edge 232 of thebelt 230 with the leno tape 310 provides support to the edges 232 of thebelt 230 where excessive temperature can build up.

Additionally, the leno cap ply layer 300 can comprises multiple layers,e.g. two, three, or even more layers, of the leno tape 310 that arewound over the ply layer 230 of the carcass 200 to provide extrastrength. In one embodiment, the leno tape 310 is laid into a doublelayer in the shoulder 108 area of the tire 100, providing additionalstrength at the edges 232 of the belt 230. In another embodiment, theleno cap ply layer 300 can have two layers of leno tape 310 securing thebelt ply 230 across the width of the tire 100. When more than one layerof leno tape 310 is used for the cap ply 300, a layer of unvulcanizedrubber is placed between the layers of leno tape 310 to insure a goodbond. Also, in an embodiment where multiple layers of the leno tape 310are used, the layers of leno tape 310 can be staggered so that upperstrips of leno tape 310 cover the edges of the leno tape 310 in thelower layer.

The leno cap ply layer 300 of the present invention can be used with onebelt ply, two belt plies (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2), or more thantwo belt plies below the leno cap ply layer 300. In an alternateembodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6, the tire 100can have multiple belt plies 230 and 250 with leno cap ply layers 300and 350, disposed over each belt ply layer creating alternating layersof belt plies and cap plies. In the alternate embodiment, the leno capply layer 300 can also overlap the edge of the underlying belt ply,and/or have multiple layers of leno tape 310 (which can also bestaggered so that upper strips overlap edges on lower strips).

The formation of the leno tape 310 begins with the acquisition of thebasic yarns for the fabric. Subsequently, the yarns are twisted toprovide additional mechanical resilience. After the twisting, first warpyarns 311 and the second warp yarns 313 are placed on a two beams forthe formation of the fabric. The fabric is formed by leno weaving withthe appropriate spacing of the warp yarn pair weaving with the secondwarp yarns 313 usually in much higher tension than the first warp yarns311. The fabric is formed in large widths, such as 61.4 inches. Afterthe fabric formation, the fabric may be finished with one or morecompositions. The fabric may be treated with an RFL composition 400. Thefabric may be finished with tacky finish 600. Tacky finish 600 may beapplied to the fabric before the fabric slitting process, or it may beapplied to the leno tape 310 (after the fabric has been slit into tape).The fabric may be treated with an RFL composition 400 and subsequentlywith the tacky finish 600.

The final fabric is slit into the specific leno tape 310 widths forplacement on a spool. Cross-winding the leno tape 310 across a cardboardtube provides a convenient package for subsequent removal of the lenotape 310 in the manufacturing process of tire 100.

In the tire formation process, the tire carcass 200 is formed with thetire cord 210, metal beads 220, and belt plies 230. After the tirecarcass 200 is formed, the leno tape 310 is wound from the packagearound the belt plies 230 to form the leno cap ply layer 300. After theleno cap ply layer 300 is placed on the tire carcass 200, the wrappedcarcass is removed and the leno cap ply layer is stretched approximately2% making the first warp yarns 311 have essentially no crimp. The tread500 is then molded onto the subassembly, and the tire 100 is completed.

The present invention overcomes the difficulties of the prior art.Because of the flat helical pattern of the leno tape, there is nooverlap area that extends across the width of the tire. Also, the lenotape is wrapped around the circumference of the tire many times,providing a stronger reinforcement to the belt ply. Furthermore, lenoweave of the tape secures the warp yarns to the weft yarns, providing agreater resistance to the separation of the warp yarns.

In the present invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 7, RFL composition400 may be applied to at least one surface, and in some embodiments, toboth surfaces of leno tape 310 to form an RFL-leno tape composite.Following application of the RFL composition 400 to leno tape 310, thetacky finish 600 may be applied to at least one surface of the RFL-lenotape composite. Thus, RFL composition 400 and tacky finish 600 mayindependently applied to at least one surface of the leno tape 310 (orto the fabric that forms the leno tape 310, prior to being slit intotape), in order to help adhere leno tape 310 to the tread layer 500and/or the belt ply layer 230.

Additionally, the fiber and/or yarn may include an adhesion promotionfinish applied during the fiber or yarn manufacturing process. Theadhesion promotion finish may include a fiber lubricant, an antistaticcompound and a reactive adhesion promoter. Any fiber lubricants andantistatic compound known to those skilled in the art may be used. Thereactive adhesion promoter may include, for example, at least one of anepoxy resin including aliphatic epoxy resin, novolac epoxy resin,bisphenol A based epoxy resin, organofunctional silanes (such asaminofunctional alkoxylsilanes, vinyl-, acryloxyl ormethacryloxyl-silanes, isocyanato-silanes), and an isocyanate compound.In one embodiment, a polyester yarn having an epoxy containing adhesionpromotion finish may be used to form the textile material. Additionally,the fiber and/or yarn may be exposed to a plasma treatment or a coronatreatment process, in order to create additional reactive groups on thesurface of the fiber.

Textile Material

Several specific embodiments of the leno tape and leno cap ply layer(s)have been described herein in relation to the Figures. In addition,textile materials, such as fabrics, treated with the tacky finish and/orRFL composition of the present invention may be characterized as havinga woven (e.g. leno weave or laid scrim), nonwoven, or knit (e.g. warpknit, weft inserted warp knit, or raschel knit) construction. Fibertypes comprising the textile material include synthetic fibers, naturalfibers, and mixtures thereof. Synthetic fibers include, for example,polyester, acrylic, polyamide, polyolefin, polyaramid, polyurethane,regenerated cellulose (i.e., rayon), and blends thereof. The term“polyamide” is intended to describe any long-chain polymer havingrecurring amide groups as an integral part of the polymer chain.Examples of polyamides include nylon 6; nylon 6, 6; nylon 1, 1; andnylon 6, 10. The term “polyester” is intended to describe any long-chainpolymer having recurring ester groups. Examples of polyesters includearomatic polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT),and polytriphenylene terephthalate, and aliphatic polyesters, such aspolylactic acid (PLA). “Polyolefin” includes, for example,polypropylene, polyethylene, and combinations thereof. “Polyaramid”includes, for example, poly-p-phenyleneteraphthalamid (i.e., Kevlar®),poly-m-phenyleneteraphthalamid (i.e., Nomex®), and combinations thereof.Natural fibers include, for example, wool, cotton, flax, and blendsthereof.

The textile material may be formed from fibers or yarns of any size,including microdenier fibers and yarns (fibers or yarns having less thanone denier per filament). The fibers or yarns may have deniers thatrange from less than about 1 denier per filament to about 2000 denierper filament or more preferably, from less than about 1 denier perfilament to about 500 denier per filament, or even more preferably, fromless than about 1 denier per filament to about 300 denier per filament.

Furthermore, the textile material may be partially or wholly comprisedof multi-component or bi-component fibers or yarns, which may besplittable, or which have been partially or fully split, along theirlength by chemical or mechanical action. The textile material may becomprised of fibers such as staple fiber, filament fiber, spun fiber, orcombinations thereof.

The textile material may optionally be colored by a variety of dyeingtechniques, such as high temperature jet dyeing with disperse dyes, vatdyeing, thermosol dyeing, pad dyeing, transfer printing, screenprinting, or any other technique that is common in the art forcomparable textile products.

Tacky Finish

One or more layers of textile material may have a tacky finish appliedto at least one surface of the textile material. For example, the lenotape 310 may have a tacky finish applied thereto for facilitatingadhesion, or green tack, during the building process of the green(unvulcanized) tire. While specific selection of materials for the tackyfinish may be somewhat dependent upon the materials selected for use inthe tire, there are several classes of materials that are suitable.

The tacky finish may include a mixture comprising an unvulcanizedrubber, an adhesion promoter, a tacky resin, and optionally, a heat oroxidation stabilizer. The tacky finish or coating may be applied to thefabric as an aqueous blend of the components as mentioned above or, asan organic solvent solution. The water and/or organic solvent may besubsequently removed by drying, to leave a tacky coating or finish onthe textile substrate. Tacky finishes may be applied using variousmethods such as coating, impregnating, printing or any other chemicalapplication method known to those skilled in the art.

The tacky finish is comprised of at least one tacky resin (or“tackifier”). Tacky resins may be selected from the group consisting ofphenol-containing resins (such as phenol formaldehyde resin, resorcinolformaldehyde condensate, condensate of phenol derivatives with aldehydesand acetylene, terpene phenolic resins, and the like; one commerciallyavailable example is Koresin® from BASF, which is made from the reactionof acetylene and t-butyl phenol), aromatic resins, hydrocarbon resins,terpene resins, indene resins, coumarone resins, rosin-based resins, andmixtures thereof. Hydrocarbon resins include aliphatic hydrocarbonresins prepared from monomer(s) having a chain length of five carbonatoms, aromatic hydrocarbon resins prepared from monomer(s) having achain length of nine carbon atoms, dicyclopentadiene (“DCPD”)hydrocarbon resins, cycloaliphatic (“CPD”) resins, hydrogenatedhydrocarbon resins, and mixtures thereof.

Rosin-based resins may be selected from gum rosin, wood rosin, tall oilresin, and mixtures thereof. Rosin based resin may include rosin acidresins, rosin ester resins and hydrogenated rosin ester resins. Variousmixtures or blends of different tacky resins may used to provide aspecific tack characteristic. In one embodiment, a phenol tacky resin iscombined with a rosin ester resin. In another embodiment, a hydrocarbonresin is combined with a rosin ester resin. In yet another embodiment, aphenolic tacky resin is combined with a hydrocarbon resin. Variousesters of rosin may be combined to form a tacky resin. Rosin esterresins may be preferred. Resin compositions that contain a 1:1 ratio ofindene-coumarone resin may also be preferred.

Unvulcanized rubber includes any polymeric material having unsaturatedcarbon-carbon bonds that are capable of crosslinking with each other.Exemplary unvulcanized rubbers includes polybutadiene, polyisoprene,synthetic trans-rich polyisoprene or cis-rich polyisoprene, naturalrubber, poly(styrene-co-butadiene), poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene),chloroprene, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber, hydrogenatednitrile-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber (polyisobutylene copolymers),halo-butyl rubber, and mixtures thereof. The rubber may be in the formof latex, emulsion, or solvent solution before combined with othercomponents and subsequently applied to a textile material. Theunvulcanized rubber, after being applied to a textile material, can befurther vulcanized (crosslinked) in the presence of a curing agent or byvirtue of being in contact with another rubber compound comprising acuring agent. The curing agent may be a sulfur-based curing agent,organic peroxide, or other chemical agent that can cause effectivecrosslinking (curing) of the rubber material. RFL compositions may beincorporated in the formulation for crosslinking purposes. Detailedinformation on curing agents and other additives that may be includedwith the unvulcanized rubber may be found in Vanderbilt Rubber Handbook.Natural rubber (particularly natural rubber latex), and mixturescomprising natural rubber latex and polybutadiene, may be preferred.Furthermore, a combination of VP latex with natural latex may bepreferred.

Adhesion promoters include any materials that can improve the adhesionbetween the tacky finish and the textile material and/or the adhesionbetween the tacky finish and a fully compounded rubber. Exemplaryadhesion promoters may include at least one of formaldehyde-resorcinolcondensate and/or resin, formaldehyde-phenol condensate, novolac resins,resole resins, multifunctional epoxy resin, novolac modified epoxyresin, isocyanate compounds, blocked isocyanate resin or compounds,halogenated resorcinol-formaldehyde resin, phenolic resins, halogenatedphenolic resins, melamine-formaldehyde resins, vinylpyridine rubberlatex, methylene donors such as hexamethylenetetramine,hexamethoxymethylmelamine, formaldehyde, glyoxal, maleatedpolybutadiene, maleated styrene-butadiene copolymer, and mixturesthereof. Vinylpyridine rubber latex is as described further herein.Additionally, silica, carbon black, and organofunctional silanes may befurther included in the tacky finish.

The unvulcanized rubber, tacky resin and adhesion promoters can becombined at any proportions to provide a desired tack and cured adhesionto a rubber compound. In one embodiment, parts of unvulcanized rubber toparts of tacky resin may range from 50:1 to 50:50, 50:2 to 50:40, 50:4to 50:30, 50:4 to 50:20, and 50:4 to 50:10 by dry weight. The ratio ofparts unvulcanized rubber to parts adhesion promoter may range from50:0.5 to 50:20, 50:1 to 50:10, and 50:1 to 50:8.

The tacky finish may be applied to the textile material at a dry weightrange from about 5 g/m² to 100 g/m², 5 g/m² to 50 g/m², or 5 g/m² to 25g/m². The add-on of tacky finish may be about 2% to 40%, 5% to 30%, or7% to 20% of the textile material by weight.

The tacky finish may be applied to the textile material in the form ofaqueous dispersion and/or emulsion, and in the form of solution in anorganic solvent. The solvents may be selected from the group consistingof toluene/hydrocarbon solvents, xylene, ethyl acetate, alcohols,ethers, and mixtures thereof. After applied to the textile material, thetextile material may be dried to remove water or organic solvent to forma treated textile material. The textile material may be dried at atemperature between about 40° C. to about 150° C., or 60° C. to about140° C. for a sufficient amount of time to remove at least most of thesolvent or water.

Resorcinol-Formaldehyde-Latex (“RFL”) Composition

Any well known RFL composition may be utilized separately or incombination with the tacky finish of the present invention. When used incombination, the RFL composition and the tacky finish may be applied tothe textile material together in a one-step application process, or theymay be added sequentially in a two-step application process. RFLcompositions as taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,096,156 and 6,497,954, bothto Morin et al., may be utilized. RFL compositions are well known to theordinarily skilled practitioner within the pertinent art and includecombinations of resorcinol and formaldehyde in varying ratios and atvarying temperatures and pH levels and solids. Typical RFL compositionincludes formaldehyde, a rubber latex, and either resorcinol orresorcinol-formaldehyde condensate. In principle, any type of latex canbe used to make the RFL composition. Exemplary rubber lattices mayinclude, but not limited to, vinylpyridine rubber latex,styrene-butadiene rubber latex, chloroprene rubber latex, nitrile rubberlatex, hydrogenated rubber latex, and any mixtures thereof. Furthermore,such resorcinol and formaldehyde compositions are combined with anynumber of rubber latex compounds and other additives, including, asmerely examples, epoxies, urethanes, and the like. Such RFL compositionsare well known in the art and the utilization of such types ofcompositions (any number of which may be used in combination with thetacky finish) would be well appreciated by the ordinarily skilledartisan in the textile/rubber reinforcement composite art.

In one embodiment, the RFL composition may preferably and optionallyinclude a tacky resin. Any tacky resin as described herein may beincluded in the RFL composition. The tacky resin may be included at2%-50%, 2%-30%, 5%-20%, or 8%-20% by weight based on the total dryweight of the RFL formulation. For example, a hydrocarbon tacky resin, arosin ester resin or mixture thereof may be further included in a RFLcomposition at about 10%-18% based on the total dry weight of theformulation.

One particularly preferred RFL composition comprises the epoxy adhesivecomposition of U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,507 to Marco et al. This RFLcomposition is an aqueous dispersion of an epoxy resin and afunctionalized rubber latex. The epoxy resin has an epoxy functionalityof three or greater. A large number of commercially available epoxyresins are available and by way of example and not limitation, includeepoxy cresol-novolac resins; epoxy phenol-novolac resins; poly nuclearphenol-glycidyl ether-derived resins, such as the tetraglycidyl ether oftetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane; resins containing an aromatic aminebackbone, such as triglycidyl p-aminophenol-derived resins andtriglycidyl triazine-derived resins such as triglycidyl isocyanurate.Preferably, the epoxy resin is a cresol-novolac or phenol-novolac resin.

To enhance the stability of the RFL composition, it may be desirable toselect epoxy resins having an average particle size of less than 5microns, preferably less than 3 microns, and most preferably about 1micron or less. Typically, the molecular weight of the cresol-novolacand phenol-novolac epoxy resins range from about 475 to 1750, with 650to 1500 being preferred. Also included are trifunctional epoxy resinswhich have been modified to enhance their dispersability such as bygrafting acrylic monomers to the epoxy resin backbone.

The functionalized rubber latex may be generally characterized as arubber latex having pendant carboxyl, amide, or pyridyl functionalities,and such functionalities are intended to include derivatives thereof.Also included are rubber lattices which contain combinations of one ormore of these functionalities. The functionalized rubber lattices aretypically produced by copolymerization of a conjugated diene, andethylenically unsaturated monomer containing one of the aforementionedfunctionalities, and optionally, compatible monomers, such as those usedin elastomer copolymers.

Suitable dienes include conjugated dienes having from 4 to 9 carbonatoms such as 1,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene,2-ethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene andhalogen-substituted butadienes, such as 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene.

As is well known in the art, compatible comonomers may also be includedfor copolymerization in the rubber lattices. For example, aromatic vinylcompounds, such as styrene, α-methylstyrene, 2-methylstyrene,3-methylstyrene, 4-methylstyrene, 2,4-di-isopropylstyrene,2,4-dimethylstyrene, 4-t-butylstyrene, 5-t-butyl-2-methylstyrene,monochlorostyrene, dichlorostyrene, monofluorostyrene andhydroxymethylstyrene may be employed. Another class of compatiblemonomers includes cyanated vinyl monomers such as acrylonitrile,methacrylonitrile, fumaronitrile, and maleonitrile. Still another classof compatible monomers includes aliphatic vinyl compounds, such asethylene, propylene, and vinyl chloride. The amount of the compatiblemonomer in the rubber latex is generally 55% by weight or less.

Monomers which may be polymerized into the rubber latex to provide acarboxyl functionality may include ethylenically unsaturated carboxylicacids, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, cinnamicacid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid and butene tricarboxylicacid; monoalkyl esters of ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids;and ethylenically unsaturated acid anhydrides, which may be hydrolyzedto the corresponding carboxylic acid.

The carboxyl functionalized monomer is typically provided in thefunctionalized rubber latex in a range of 0.1 to 25 wt %, preferably 0.5to 12 wt %, most preferably 1 to 7 wt %. These compounds, generallyreferred to as carboxylated rubber lattices, are well known andcommercially available, such as Tylac NP-1672®, available from ReicholdChemical Company as a 70% solid carboxylated styrene/butadiene polymerdispersion in water.

Suitable functionalized monomers for providing a pyridyl functionalityinclude vinylpyridines, such as 2-vinylpyridine, 3-vinylpyridine and4-vinylpyridine as well as alkyl derivatives thereof such as2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine and 5-ethyl-2-vinylpyridine,2-methyl-6-vinylpyridine and 2-ethyl-4-vinylpyridine.

The pyridyl functionalized monomer is generally provided in thefunctionalized rubber latex in the amount of 5 to 45 wt %, preferably 10to 30 wt %. Vinylpyridine/rubber latex copolymers are commerciallyavailable, such as Pliocord LVP4668™ from Goodyear Chemical Companywhich is a 40% solids dispersion in water ofstyrene/butadiene/vinylpyridine in the approximate weight ratio of45:45:10.

Another class of functionalized monomers includes ethylenicallyunsaturated compounds having a pendant amide or amide derivative group.Useful monomers include acrylamide and N-methylolacrylamide. Thesecompounds may be employed in free radical, emulsion polymerization withthe conjugated diene monomers and optional compatible monomers, such asdisclosed in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rdEdition, Volume 14, page 82 on “Latex Technology”. The amidefunctionalized monomer may be employed effectively in amounts of from0.1 to 30 wt % in the functionalized rubber latex.

Also included are RFL compositions containing functionalized rubberlattices having both pendant carboxyl and pyridyl groups, or derivativesthereof. For example, Hisaki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,783, disclosesa copolymer latex obtained by emulsion polymerization of from 45 to 85%of a conjugated diene monomer, 0.1 to 25% of an ethylenicallyunsaturated acid monomer, 10 to 45% of a vinylpyridine monomer and up to30% other comonomers, such as aromatic vinyl compounds.

The relative concentration of the epoxy resin and functionalized rubberlatex in the RFL composition may range from 1:15 to 4:1, preferably 1:4to 1:1. In an alternate embodiment, the RFL composition contains anepoxy resin and both a carboxylated rubber latex and a pyridylfunctionalized rubber latex. Optimum adhesion between a reinforcingtextile and rubber product may be achieved when the RFL compositioncontains the following relative concentration of components: from 7-60wt % epoxy resin, from 5-65 wt % carboxylated rubber latex, and from15-75 wt % pyridyl functionalized rubber latex; preferably, from 15-50wt % epoxy resin, from 10-50 wt % carboxylated rubber latex, and from20-65 wt % pyridyl functionalized rubber latex; most preferably, from25-40 wt % epoxy resin, from 15-30 wt % carboxylated rubber latex, andfrom 35-55 wt % pyridyl functionalized rubber latex.

Unvulcanized rubber materials may further be used in the RFLcomposition. Unvulcanized rubber includes any polymeric material havingunsaturated carbon-carbon bonds that are capable of crosslinking witheach other. Exemplary unvulcanized rubbers includes polybutadiene,polyisoprene, synthetic trans-rich polyisoprene or cis-richpolyisoprene, natural rubber, poly(styrene-co-butadiene),poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene), chloroprene, hydrogenated SBR,hydrogenated NBR, butyl rubber (polyisobutylene copolymers), halo-butylrubber, and mixtures thereof. The rubber may be in the form of a latex,emulsion or solvent solution before combined with other components andsubsequently applied to a textile material. The unvulcanized rubber,after being applied to a textile material, can be further vulcanized(crosslinked) in the presence of a curing agent or by virtue of being incontact with another rubber compound comprising a curing agent. Thecuring agent may be a sulfur based curing agent, organic peroxide, andother chemical agent that can cause effective crosslinking (curing) ofthe rubber material. Natural rubber (particularly natural rubber latex),and mixtures comprising natural rubber latex and polybutadiene may bepreferred.

The RFL composition is generally aqueous with a solids content of from 2to 60, preferably 7 to 40 wt %. In addition to the epoxy resin andfunctionalized rubber latex or lattices, the RFL composition may containminor amounts of additional additives. For example, the aqueous portionof the RFL composition may contain minor amounts of hydrophilicsolvents, such as methanol.

The aqueous RFL composition may be applied to a textile to give anadd-on of from 1 to 30 wt % solids based on a weight of the untreatedtextile, preferably 5 to 15 wt % solids. Any of a number of techniques,as are well known in the art, can be employed, such as dipping,spraying, or application from a kiss roll. In one embodiment, a wovenfabric is dip-coated by immersion in the aqueous RFL composition atambient conditions.

Additionally, the curing step between the RFL-coated textile and therubber compound is performed in any conventional manner, such as throughheat-activated vulcanization in the presence of a curing agent (such asorganic peroxide). Again, such a step should be well within the purviewof the ordinarily skilled artisan in this field. Additional adhesivecompositions and methods of application which may be useful are providedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/661,170, “Pattern Coated Cap PlyFor Tire Construction,” to Michiels et al., filed Mar. 11, 2010; U.S.Pat. No. 6,602,379 to Li et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,262 to Li et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 6,333,281 to Li et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,444,322 to Li etal.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,686,301 to Li et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,563 to Liet al.; all of which are entirely incorporated by reference herein.

Optional Additives

Optional additives that may be included in the tacky finish of thepresent invention. Optional additives may include stabilizers (such asdiphenylamine-based stabilizers; heat stabilizers such as mica andquartz), antioxidants (such as phenolic-based antioxidants, such ashindered phenolic antioxidants or hindered phenolic antioxidants withthio synergist; and hydroquinoline compounds), electrical dischargedissipaters, ozone and ultraviolet stabilizers (such as Hydrowax Q—solidsaturated hydrocarbons), wetting agents, emulsifiers, adhesionpromoters, and mixtures thereof. Antioxidants may include hinderedphenol compounds, acylphenylenediamine compounds, diphenylaminecompounds, mercaptan compounds, thioester compounds, thioethercompounds, hydroquinoline compounds, and mixtures thereof. Adhesionpromoters may include isocyanate-containing compounds, epoxy-containingcompounds, resorcinol-formaldehyde resins, hexamethoxymethyl melamine(“HMMM”) resins, and mixtures thereof. Carbon black and silica may alsobe included as optional additives in the tacky finish.

Method for Applying the Tacky Finish to the Textile Materials

The tacky finish may be applied to a textile material through anytechnique known in the art for applying a chemical mixture to asubstrate. For example, the tacky finish may be applied to the textilematerial via spraying, dipping, padding, foaming, printing, coating, andthe like. The use of engraved rollers, a three roller system, a rotaryscreen, and/or a double-sided vertical system may be employed in theapplication process. One exemplary acceptable method of applying thetacky finish to a textile material includes padding the tacky finishfrom a bath mixture, which generally results in coating both surfaces ofthe textile material in one step. By using one or more of theseapplication techniques, the tacky finish may be applied to only onesurface of a textile material, or it may be applied to both surfaces.The tacky finish may be applied in a uniform or in a non-uniform mannerto at least one surface of the textile material.

The coated textile material may comprise a textile material having anRFL first layer disposed on at least one surface of the textile materialand a tacky finish/coating layer disposed on the RFL layer. The coatedtextile material may exhibit a fabric-to-fabric tack level in the rangeof about 5 Newtons and about 30 Newtons, in the range of about 10Newtons and about 30 Newtons, or in the range of about 5 Newtons andabout 20 Newtons, as determined by the Tacky Level Test Proceduredescribed herein.

Additional details of tire construction and/or cap ply layers and/or RFLcompositions and methods for making are provided in US PatentApplication Publication No. 2009/0294008 to Michiels et al., “Leno CapPly For Pneumatic Tire,” filed May 29, 2008; US Patent ApplicationPublication Nos. 2009/0294010 and 2009/0294025, both to Michiels et al.,“Leno Cap Ply For Pneumatic Tire,” filed May 5, 2009; U.S. Pat. No.4,739,814 to Berczi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,988 to Soderberg et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,129 to Michiels et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,436 toTernon et al.; all of which are entirely incorporated by referenceherein.

EXAMPLES

The invention may be further understood by reference to the followingexamples which are not to be construed as limiting the scope of thepresent invention.

A. Fabric Preparation

Fabric A was a knitted fabric having 1400/2 dtex polyamide (nylon 6,6)fiber and 82/1 dtex low shrink polyester fiber in the warp direction and1220/1 dtex rayon fiber in the fill direction. The warp yarn containedabout 49 ends/decimeter and the fill yarn contained about 22picks/decimeter. Fabric A had a fabric weight of 246.6 g/m². Fabric Atreated with the tacky finish of the present invention exhibited anelongation at 80 daN (warp) of 3.5%, an elongation at break (warp) of22.1%, and an elongation at break (weft) of 18.0%, all of which wasdetermined using test method DIN 53857 (MTP 11 without feelers), asdescribed herein.

Fabric B was a leno weave fabric having 940/1 dtex polyamide (nylon 6,6)fiber in the warp direction and 1220/1 dtex rayon fiber in the filldirection. The warp yarn contained about 108 (54×2) ends/decimeter andthe fill yarn contained about 23 picks/decimeter. Fabric B had a fabricweight of 185 g/m². Fabric B treated with the tacky finish of thepresent invention exhibited an elongation at 80 daN (warp) of 8.5% andan elongation at break (weft) of 15.0%, all of which was determinedusing test method DIN 53857 (MTP 11 without feelers), as describedherein.

B. Formulations

The amount of each ingredient for each formulation is provided in grams.Reference (“REF”) samples are provided as controls.

Table A is a list of products and their description that may be applied,in various combinations, to at least one fabric as described herein.

TABLE A Products Useful in Preparing the Tacky Finish Distributor/ NameDescription Manufacturer Chemical Name Dermulsene ™ 222 Tackyfier DRTAqueous, solvent free resin based on terpene and stabilized rosin esterDermulsene ™ A 7510 Tackyfier DRT Aqueous, solvent free resin based onstabilized resin Dermulsene ™ HBR 803 Tackyfier DRT Aqueous, solventfree resin, manufactured at 53% sold. Based on hybrid rosin ester/hydrocarbon resin Dermulsene ™ RE 802 Tackyfier DRT Aqueous, solventfree resin based on stabilized rosin ester Dermulsene ™ TR 602 TackyfierDRT Aqueous resin dispersion based on terpene phenolic resin Snowtack ™100 G Tackyfier Hexion Aqueous dispersion of modified rosin Snowtack ™779 F Tackyfier Hexion Aqueous dispersion of modified rosin Snowtack ™SE 780 G Tackyfier Hexion Aqueous dispersion of modified rosin; mixtureof rosin ester and C₅-C₉ coreacted hydrocarbon resin Snowtack ™ SE 780 KTackyfier Hexion Aqueous dispersion of modified rosin Hydro-Rez ™ 1100 DLatex Hexion A 33% solids pH neutral film forming sulfo polyester resindispersion Hydro-Rez ™ 1400 D Latex Hexion A 30% solids pH neutral filmforming sulfo polyester resin dispersion Hydro-Rez ™ 800 E Latex HexionA 44% solids water-based acrylic dispersion special developed forwater-based Norsolene ® S 125 E Tackyfier Necarbo Thermoplastic resins,obtained by aromatic petroleum cuts polymerization Norsolene ® S 95Tackyfier Necarbo Thermoplastic resins, obtained by aromatic petroleumcuts polymerization Nuosperse ® FN 265 Wetting agent Necarbo Pigmentwetting agent for aqueous systems & emulsifier Wingtack ® 95 TackyfierNecarbo synthetic resins obtained by cationic polymerization ofaliphatic monomers (C5) Pliocord ® SB 2108 Latex Eliokem Aqueousdispersion of a styrene-butadiene copolymer produced using a nonnitrosamine forming shorstop. Pliotec ® EL 80 Latex Eliokem 100% acrylicself cross-linking elastomeric resin. Pliotec ® EL 25 Latex EliokemElastomeric acrylic latex Wingstay ® 29 Antioxidant Eliokem Mixed paraoriented styrenated diphenylamines Wingstay ® L 40 Disp. AntioxidantEliokem Butylated reaction product of p-cresol and dicyclopentadieneWingstay ® L Antioxidant Eliokem Butylated reaction product of p-cresoland dicyclopentadiene Struktol ® LA 214 Antioxidant Schill&SeilacherAqueous dispersion based on hindered and alkylated phenols with asulphur containing synergist Struktol ® LA 229 AntioxidantSchill&Seilacher Aqueous dispersion of a butylated reaction product ofp-cresol and dicyclopentadiene with addition of dispersing agentsStruktol ® LA 331 Antioxidant Schill&Seilacher Aqueous dispersion basedon hindered and alkylated phenols with a sulphur containing synergist(1:1) and anionic surfactants Struktol ® XP 4400 AntioxidantSchill&Seilacher Anionic, aqueous antioxidant dispersion Struktol ® XP4402 Antioxidant Schill&Seilacher Anionic, aqueous antioxidantdispersion Struktol ® LT 159 Tackyfier Schill&Seilacher Aqueousdispersion of alkylphenolic resin; Koresin, a reaction product ofacetylene and t-butylphenol. Struktol ® LT 356 TackyfierSchill&Seilacher Aqueous, anionic tackifier resin dispersion; Terpenephenolic resin Struktol ® XP 4392 Tackyfier Schill&Seilacher Aqueous,anionic tackifier resin dispersion; hydrocarbon resin mixture withKoresin Struktol ® XP 4394 Tackyfier Schill&Seilacher Aqueous, anionictackifier resin dispersion; C₅ hydrocarbon resin Struktol ® XP 4395Tackyfier Schill&Seilacher Aqueous, anionic tackifier resin dispersionbased on rosin ester resin Struktol ® XP 4395 - A TackyfierSchill&Seilacher Aqueous, anionic tackifier resin dispersion based onrosin ester resin having 20% liquid resin content Struktol ® XP 4395 - BTackyfier Schill&Seilacher Aqueous, anionic tackifier resin dispersionbased on rosin ester resin having 40% liquid resin content Struktol ® XP4397 Resin Schill&Seilacher Aqueous, anionic tackifier resin dispersionStruktol ® XP 4398 Resin Schill&Seilacher Aqueous, anionic tackifierresin dispersion Struktol ® XP 4399 Tackyfier Schill&Seilacher Aqueous,anionic tackifier resin dispersion Struktol ® XP 4406 TackyfierSchill&Seilacher Aqueous, anionic tackifier resin dispersion Struktol ®XP 4407 Tackyfier Schill&Seilacher Aqueous, anionic tackifier resindispersion Struktol ® XP 4408 Tackyfier Schill&Seilacher Aqueous,anionic tackifier resin dispersion Struktol ® XP 4409 TackyfierSchill&Seilacher Aqueous, anionic tackifier resin dispersion Struktol ®XP 4410 Tackyfier Schill&Seilacher Aqueous, anionic tackifier resindispersion Tacolyn ™ 100 Tackyfier Eastman An aqueous, anionic, 50%solids, solvent-free resin dispersion based largely on a low molecularweight, thermoplastic, aliphatic hydrocarbon resin Tacolyn ™ 4177Tackyfier Eastman An anionic, aqueous, 50% solids, solvent-freedispersion of a modified hydrocarbon resin that may be used as the soletackifying resin with selected acrylic polymers. Tacolyn ™ MBG-514Tackyfier Eastman Aqueous dispersion of resin Tacolyn ™ 64 TackyfierEastman An anionic, aqueous, 50% solids, solvent-free dispersion of ahydrogenated rosin ester. Tacolyn ™ 5193 Tackyfier Eastman An aqueous,50% solids, APEO and solvent- free dispersion of a mixed feedhydrocarbon resin. Aquatac ® XR 4316 Tackyfier Arizona Aqueousdispersion of modified rosin Alchem TMQ G2 Antioxidant Saficalcan2,2,4-Trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline, polymerized Aquamix ™ 126 #Antioxidant PolyOne Mixture - Low staining amine AO emulsion highlyeffective in polychloroprene with excellent finished end productprotection; 50% dispersion of Wingstay 29 Bostex 379 A Antioxidant AkronAqueous mixture of Polymerized 1,2-Dihydro- Dispersion2,2,4-Trimethyl-Quinoline, Sodium Salt of PolymerizedAlkylnaphthalenesulfonic Acid Aquamix ™ 111 # MBTS PolyOne Mixture -Benzothiazyldisulfide accelerator Aquamix ™ 569# Tackyfier PolyOneMixture - Synthetic resin Aquamix ™ 814 # Tackyfier PolyOne Mixture -Phenolic Resin; phenolic tackifying resin with melting point at 90° C.Aquamix ™ 789 # Tackyfier PolyOne Hydrocarbon resin Aquamix ™ 570 #Tackyfier PolyOne Mixture - Terpene Phenolic Resin; terphene phenolicresin with melting point of 150° C. 40% AquaRes T100H TackyfierAquaspersions Emulsion of an aliphatic Hydrocarbon Resin 60% AquaResT20H Tackyfier Aquaspersions Emulsion of a liquid Aromatic HydrocarbonResin 50% Aquanox L Antioxidant Aquaspersions Anti-degradent for use inpolymer lattices 45% Aquanox 2246 Antioxidant Aquaspersions Antioxidantfor use in polymer lattices 4,4′-Methylenebis(N- Bismaleide VWR CAS#13676-54-5 phenylmaleimide) Disponil ® SLS 101 Emulsifier CognisEmulsifier for Polymerization - Aqueous Special solution of: Fattyalcohol sulfate Disponil ® SDS 15 Emulsifier Cognis Emulsifier forPolymerization - Aqueous solution of: Sodium lauryl sulfate IMCD -Sample 1 Tackyfier IMCD Aqueous dispersion of stabilized rosin esterPenacolite ® Resin Resin Indspec Resorcinol-Formaldehyde resin B-16-SPenacolite ® Resin I- Resin Indspec Modified diisocyanate andResorcinol- 168-L Formaldehyde Polymer Glimmer Mica TG Filler QuarzwerkeNatural phyllosilicates with a platelet-shaped GmbH structure GlimmerMica TF Filler Quarzwerke Natural phyllosilicates with a platelet-shapedGmbH structure Kaolinmehl Surmin Filler Quarzwerke Kaolin is a white,soft, malleable mineral KOG GmbH comprising primarily fine-grain,platelet- shaped particles G-Tec GD LCV LC Latex Vanderbilt A naturalrubber latex with approximately Company 60% dry rubber content in water.It contains 0.6% by weight of ammonia and small traces of HNS(Hydroxylamine Neutral Sulphate) WB3 Slurry Antioxidant Vanderbilt A 50%dispersion of VANOX MTI, 2- Company mercaptotoluimidazole PKHP-34Emulsifier InChem Dispersion of modified poly (hydroxyether) inCorporation water PKHP-35 Emulsifier InChem Dispersion of modified poly(hydroxyether) in Corporation water PKHP-200 Emulsifier InChem Phenol,4,4′-(1-methylethylidene)bis polymer Corporation with (chloromethyl)oxirane Naugawhite ® Antioxidant Chemtura2,2′-methylenebis(6-nonyl-p-cresol) Modicol 2271 Tackyfier Cognis Estergum of an aqueous emulsion IntraforS 10 Emulsifier Cognis Alkyl ester ofsulfate Litex-S 61 Latex Polymer Latex Aqueous, colloidal dispersion ofstyrene- butadiene copolymer. Penacolite Resin R - Resin Indspec Aqueoussolution of resorcinol-formaldehyde 2170 resin, 75% solids Gentac VP 106Latex Omnova A vinyl pyridine butadiene styrene terpolymer latex.Derussol AN-25-L Carbon black Degussa AG Carbon black dispersion inwater dispersion

The following formulations were prepared:

RFL - 1 Ingredient % Solids Dry Wet Water — — 217.85 NaOH 50% 1.37 2.73R 2170* 75% 20.08 26.77 Formaldehyde* 37% 5.57 15.06 VP 106* 41% 188.52459.81 Water — — 103.26 Derussol AN-25-L 50% 9.56 19.11 Naugawhite ® 50%0.98 1.95 Tacolyn ™ 5193 54% 45.33 83.95 Water — — 18.91 Ammonia 14%0.30 2.11 Penacolite Resin I-168-L* 57% 12.00 21.06 Total 283.70 972.57*Adhesion promoter as described herein.

Reference Tacky Finish Formulations Ingredients % Solids Dry Wet REF 1AREF 1B REF 2A REF 2B RFL-1 30% 8.64 28.81 — 45.74 — 49.28 Natural latex60% 60.00 100.00 196.23 157.81 219.37 170.02 Naugawhite ® 40% 0.75 1.874.33 2.91 4.84 3.20 Modicol 2271 30% 6.83 22.76 45.97 45.70 — —Intrafor-S 10 40% 0.27 0.67 — — — — Litex-S 61 67% 9.65 14.40 29.2123.79 32.65 25.63 Wingstay ® 29 100% — — 1.39 1.17 1.54 1.26 Wingstay ®L 100% — — 1.38 1.10 1.55 1.18

Tacky Finish (Dermulsene ™) With and Without RFL-1 % Dry/ IngredientsSolids Wet 1A 1B 3A* 5A 5B 7A 7B 9A 9B RFL-1 30% 8.64/ — 22.86 — — 22.88— 22.89 — 22.88 28.81 Natural latex 60% 60.00/ 98.15 78.85 98.25 98.1178.94 98.14 78.98 98.07 78.95 100.00 Naugawhite ® 40% 0.75/ 2.17 1.482.17 2.16 1.48 2.17 1.48 2.16 1.48 1.87 Modicol 2271 30% 6.83/ — — — — —— — — — 22.76 Intrafor-S 10 40% 0.27/ — — — — — — — — — 0.67 Litex-S 6167% 9.65/ 14.61 11.89 14.62 14.60 11.90 14.61 11.90 14.60 11.90 14.40Dermulsene ™ 54% — 111.31 111.13 — — — — — — — 222 Dermulsene ™ 56% — —— 107.16 — — — — — — A 7510 Dermulsene ™ 53% — — — — 114.32 113.32 — — —— HBR 803 Dermulsene ™ 52% — — — — — — 115.52 115.70 — — RE 802Dermulsene ™ 55% — — — — — — — — 109.62 109.36 TR 602 Wingstay ® 29 100%— 0.69 0.58 0.69 0.69 0.58 0.69 0.58 0.69 0.58 Wingstay ® L 100% — 0.690.55 0.69 0.69 0.55 0.69 0.55 0.69 0.55 *Mix 3A coagulated and was notusable.

Tacky Finish (Snowtack ™) With and Without RFL-1 % Ingredients SolidsDry Wet 1A 1B 3A 3B 5A 5B 9A 9B RFL-1 30% 8.64 28.81 — 28.83 — 28.85 —28.80 — 28.83 Natural latex 60% 60.00 100.00 85.02 86.71 86.02 89.9885.10 86.92 86.01 86.18 Naugawhite 40% 0.75 1.87 3.13 3.19 3.17 3.313.13 3.20 3.17 3.17 Modicol 2271 30% 6.83 22.76 — — — — — — — —Intrafor-S 10 40% 0.27 0.67 — — — — — — — — Litex-S 61 67% 9.65 14.4024.74 25.23 25.03 28.18 24.76 25.29 25.03 25.08 Snowtack ™ 55% — —108.89 109.01 — — — — — — 100 G Snowtack ™ 55% — — — — 111.60 109.23 — —— — 779 F Snowtack ™ 55% — — — — — — 107.01 109.30 — — SE 780 GSnowtack ™ 55% — — — — — — — — 108.31 108.52 SE 780 K Wingstay ® 29 100%— — 1.27 1.30 1.29 1.35 1.28 1.30 1.29 1.29 Wingstay ® L 100% — — 1.171.20 1.19 1.24 1.17 1.20 1.19 1.19

Tacky Finish (Aquatac ®) With and Without RFL - 1 Ingredients % SolidsDry Wet 1 A 1 B RFL - 1 30% 8.64 28.81 — 28.90 Natural latex 60% 60.00100.00 93.06 99.27 Naugawhite 40% 0.75 1.87 1.72 1.84 Modicol 2271 30%6.83 22.76 — — Intrafor-S 10 40% 0.27 0.67 — — Litex-S 61 67% 9.65 14.4013.41 14.30 Aquatac ® XR 60% — — 93.35 101.72 4316 Wingstay ® 29 100%  —— 0.79 0.84 Wingstay ® L 100%  — — 0.65 0.70

Tacky Finish (Struktol ®-1) With and Without RFL-1 % Ingredients SolidsDry Wet 1A 1B 3A 3B 5A 5B 7A 7B RFL-1 30% 8.64 28.81 — 28.83 — 28.85 —28.81 — 28.83 Natural latex 60% 60.00 100.00 116.04 117.42 101.78 98.7297.82 99.01 96.80 98.85 Naugawhite 40% 0.75 1.87 2.15 2.17 1.88 1.831.81 1.83 1.79 1.84 Modicol 30% 6.83 22.76 — — — — — — — — 2271Intrafor-S 10 40% 0.27 0.67 — — — — — — — — Litex-S 61 67% 9.65 14.4016.72 16.92 14.66 14.22 14.09 14.26 13.95 14.33 Struktol ® LT 40% — —126.83 128.33 — — — — — — 159 Struktol ® LT 51% — — — — 120.61 116.98 —— — — 356 Struktol ® 50% — — — — — — 119.72 121.17 — — XP 4392Struktol ® 50% — — — — — — — — 117.44 120.66 XP 4394 Struktol ® 50% — —— — — — — — — — XP 4395 Struktol ® 50% — — — — — — — — — — XP 4397Struktol ® 52% — — — — — — — — — — XP 4398 Wingstay ® 100% — — 0.98 0.990.86 0.83 0.83 0.84 0.82 0.84 29 Wingstay ® L 100% — — 0.82 0.83 0.720.69 0.69 0.70 0.68 0.70 Ingredients 9A 9B 11A 11B 13A 13B RFL-1 — 28.90— 18.83 — 28.81 Natural 98.08 98.83 96.16 98.73 95.06 100.73 latexNaugawhite 1.81 1.83 1.78 1.83 1.76 1.86 Modicol — — — — — — 2271Intrafor-S — — — — — — 10 Litex-S 61 14.13 14.24 13.85 14.22 13.70 14.51Struktol ® — — — — — — LT 159 Struktol ® — — — — — — LT 356 Struktol ® —— — — — — XP 4392 Struktol ® — — — — — — XP 4394 Struktol ® 119.70120.62 — — — — XP 4395 Struktol ® — — 117.75 120.90 — — XP 4397Struktol ® — — — — 112.42 119.13 XP 4398 Wingstay ® 0.83 0.83 0.81 0.830.80 0.85 29 Wingstay ® L 0.69 0.70 0.68 0.69 0.67 0.71

Tacky Finish (Struktol ®-2) With and Without RFL-1 % Ingredients SolidsDry Wet 1A 1B 1C 2A 2B 2C 3A 3B 3C RFL-1 30% 8.64 28.81 — 28.88 14.42 —28.83 14.43 — 28.83 14.44 Natural 60% 60.00 100.00 96.81 100.02 100.5395.61 101.57 100.68 97.71 100.00 99.95 latex Naugawhite 40% 0.75 1.871.87 1.93 1.94 1.84 1.96 1.94 1.88 1.93 1.93 Modicol 30% 6.83 22.76 — —— — — — — — — 2271 Intrafor-S 40% 0.27 0.67 — — — — — — — — — 10 Litex-S61 67% 9.65 14.40 13.90 14.26 14.44 13.73 14.58 14.46 14.03 14.36 14.35Struktol ® 51% — — 22.70 23.45 23.57 44.79 47.58 47.17 68.60 70.21 70.18LT 356 Struktol ® 50% — — — — — — — — — — — XP 4395 Wingstay ® 100% — —0.68 0.70 0.70 0.67 0.71 0.70 0.68 0.70 0.70 29 Wingstay ® L 100% — —0.72 0.74 0.74 0.71 0.75 0.75 0.72 0.74 0.74 Ingredients 4A 4B 4C 5A 5B5C 6A 6B 6C RFL-1 — 28.85 14.46 — 28.83 14.43 — 28.89 14.46 Naturallatex 95.16 100.00 101.23 96.83 100.40 100.96 98.25 99.99 100.07Naugawhite ® 1.84 1.93 1.95 1.87 1.94 1.95 1.89 1.93 1.93 Modicol 2271 —— — — — — — — — Intrafor-S 10 — — — — — — — — — Litex-S 61 13.66 14.3614.54 13.90 14.42 14.50 14.11 14.36 14.37 Struktol ® LT — — — — — — — —— 356 Struktol ® XP 22.94 24.10 24.40 46.68 48.40 48.67 71.08 72.3472.39 4395 Wingstay ® 29 0.67 0.70 0.71 0.68 0.70 0.71 0.69 0.70 0.70Wingstay ® L 0.71 0.74 0.75 0.72 0.74 0.75 0.73 0.74 0.74

Tacky Finish (Struktol ®-3) With and Without RFL-1 % Ingredients SolidsDry Wet 3D 5D 7D 9B 9B + TMQ 9D 15A 15B RFL-1 30% 8.64 28.81 20.30 21.8420.69 20.42 20.42 20.24 — 20.22 Natural latex 60% 60.00 100.00 70.0270.02 70.01 70.28 70.30 70.04 70.18 70.21 Naugawhite ® 40% 0.75 1.871.36 1.39 1.34 1.37 1.37 1.42 1.34 1.35 Modicol 2271 30% 6.83 22.76 — —— — — — — — Intrafor-S 10 40% 0.27 0.67 — — — — — — — — Litex-S 61 67%9.65 14.40 10.16 11.03 10.26 10.22 10.22 10.61 10.11 10.11 Struktol ® LT51.3%  — — 81.87 — — — — — — — 356 Struktol ® XP 49.6%  — — — 84.63 — —— — — — 4392 Struktol ® XP 50.1%  — — — — 83.87 — — — — — 4394Struktol ® XP 49.8%  — — — — — 85.64 85.67 86.16 — — 4395 Struktol ® XP51.3%  — — — — — — — — 81.99 82.01 4399 Aquamix ™ 55% — — 1.29 1.01 0.82— — 0.77 — — 126 # Bostex 379 A 54% — — 1.25 1.22 0.77 — — 0.90 — —Alchem TMQ 25% — — — — — — 4.00 — — — G2 Wingstay ® 100%  — — — — — 1.671.68 — 0.72 0.72 29 Wingstay ® L 100%  — — 0.49 0.99 0.50 0.55 0.55 0.560.49 0.49

Tacky Finish (Struktol ®-4) With RFL-1 Ingredients % Solids Dry Wet 9B9Ba 9Bb 9Bc 9Bd 9Be 9Bf 9Bg RFL-1 30% 8.64 28.81 30.02 28.84 28.84 28.8428.84 28.84 28.84 29.57 Natural latex 60% 60.00 100.00 103.18 99.1599.14 99.14 99.13 99.13 99.14 99.19 Naugawhite ® 40% 0.75 1.87 2.02 1.941.94 1.94 1.94 1.94 1.94 1.94 Modicol 2271 30% 6.83 22.76 — — — — — — —— Intrafor-S 10 40% 0.27 0.67 — — — — — — — — Litex-S 61 67% 9.65 14.4015.65 15.04 15.04 15.04 15.04 15.04 15.04 15.05 Struktol ® 49.8%  — —125.40 120.50 120.50 120.50 120.49 120.48 120.50 62.75 XP 4395Struktol ® 51.3%  — — — — — — — — — 60.12 XP 4399 Struktol ® 50.3%  — —— 0.76 — — — — — — XP 4400 Struktol ® — — — — 0.76 — — — — — XP 4402Aquamix ™ 54.9%  — — — — — 0.55 — — 0.58 — 111 # Water — — — — — — —12.04 — 12.04 12.07 Ammonia 14% — — — — — — 1.86 — 1.86 1.87 Penacolite57% — — — — — — 13.13 — 13.12 13.16 Resin I-168-L 4,4′ 95% — — — — — — —0.32 0.31 — Methylenebis (N-phenyl maleimide) Wingstay ® 100%  — — 0.860.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 29 Wingstay ® L 100%  — — 0.72 0.700.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70

Tacky Finish (Aquamix ™) With and Without RFL - 1 % Ingredients SolidsDry Wet 1A 1B 3A* 5A 5B 7A 7B RFL - 1 30% 8.64 28.81 — 28.85 — — 28.90 —28.87 Natural latex 60% 60.00 100.00 97.32 99.72 198.79 96.89 99.9197.88 99.81 Naugawhite ® 40% 0.75 1.87 1.92 1.97 3.93 1.91 1.97 1.931.97 Modicol 2271 30% 6.83 22.76 — — — — — — — Intrafor-S 10 40% 0.270.67 — — — — — — — Litex-S 61 67% 9.65 14.40 14.62 14.98 29.87 14.5615.01 14.71 15.00 Aquamix ™ 814 # 62% — — 93.40 95.71 — — — — —Aquamix ™ 789 # 52% — — — — 230.87 — — — — Aquamix ™ 570 # 53% — — — — —109.56 113.08 — — Aquamix ™ 569# 52% — — — — — — — 113.04 115.27Aquamix ™ 126 # 55% — — — — — — — — — Bostex 379 A 54% — — — — — — — — —Aquamix ™ 111 # 52% — — — — — — — — — Wingstay ® 29 100% — — 0.68 0.701.40 0.68 0.70 0.69 0.70 Wingstay ® L 100% — — 0.68 0.70 1.39 0.68 0.700.69 0.70 *Mix 3A coagulated and was not usable.

Tacky Finish (Matrix-9) With RFL - 1 % Ingredients Solids Dry Wet 9B 4 56 7 8 15 16 RFL - 1 30% 8.64 28.81 29.17 29.24 29.21 29.24 29.23 29.2429.24 29.24 Natural latex 60% 60.00 100.00 100.40 100.61 100.54 100.63100.60 100.62 100.62 100.64 Naugawhite ® 40% 0.75 1.87 2.01 2.02 2.022.02 2.02 2.02 2.02 2.02 Modicol 2271 30% 6.83 22.76 — — — — — — — —Intrafor-S 10 40% 0.27 0.67 — — — — — — — — Litex-S 61 67% 9.65 14.4014.01 14.04 14.03 14.04 14.04 14.04 14.04 14.04 Struktol ® XP 439549.8%   — — 119.35 119.60 119.52 119.63 119.58 119.61 119.61 119.63Struktol ® LA 214 56% — — — 0.71 — — — — — — Struktol ® LA 229 40% — — —— 0.79 — — — — — Struktol ® LA 331 50% — — — — — 0.77 — — — — 50%Aquanox L 52% — — — — — — 0.79 — — — 45% Aquanox 2246 46% — — — — — — —0.76 — — Disponil SLS 101 31% — — — — — — — — 0.68 — Special DisponilSDS 15 12% — — — — — — — — — 0.68 Wingstay 29 100%  — — 0.75 0.75 0.750.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 Wingstay L 100%  — — 0.73 0.73 0.73 0.73 0.730.73 0.73 0.73 % Ingredients Solids Dry Wet 9B A B C* D* F RFL - 1 30%8.64 28.81 28.68 28.66 28.68 28.66 19.02 28.67 Natural latex 60% 60.00100.00 99.77 99.72 99.77 99.72 66.17 99.75 Naugawhite ® 40% 0.75 1.871.90 1.90 1.90 1.90 1.26 1.90 Modicol 2271 30% 6.83 22.76 — — — — — —Intrafor-S 10 40% 0.27 0.67 — — — — — — Litex-S 61 67% 9.65 14.40 14.4714.46 14.47 14.46 9.60 14.47 Struktol ® XP 4395 49.8%   — — 120.79 — — —74.85 — 40% Aquares T 100 H 42.4%   — — — 141.48 — — — — 60% Aquares T20 H 65.8%   — — — — 94.66 — — — IMCD - Sample 1 51% — — — — — — —117.71 Penacolite Resin B- 50% — — — — — 127.87 9.45 — 16-S Syvatac RE85 100%  — — — — — — — — Hydro-Rez ™ 1100 D 33% — — — — — — — —Hydro-Rez ™ 1400 D 30% — — — — — — — — Hydro-Rez ™ 800 E 44% — — — — — —— — Pliocord ® SB 2108 41% — — — — — — — — Pliotec ® EL 80 55% — — — — —— — — Pliotec ® EL 25 50% — — — — — — — — Wingstay ® 29 100%  — — 0.770.77 0.77 0.77 0.51 0.77 Wingstay ® L 100%  — — 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.460.70 Ingredients 9 10 11 12 13 14 RFL - 1 28.77 28.76 28.99 29.25 28.9428.78 Natural latex 99.86 99.84 100.64 101.53 100.47 99.91 Naugawhite ®2.22 2.22 2.24 2.26 2.24 2.22 Modicol 2271 — — — — — — Intrafor-S 10 — —— — — — Litex-S 61 — — — — — — Struktol ® XP 4395 120.56 120.53 121.50122.57 121.29 120.61 40% Aquares T 100 H — — — — — — 60% Aquares T 20 H— — — — — — IMCD - Sample 1 — — — — — — Penacolite Resin B- — — — — — —16-S Syvatac RE 85 — — — — — — Hydro-Rez ™ 1100 D 14.20 — — — — —Hydro-Rez ™ 1400 D — 14.21 — — — — Hydro-Rez ™ 800 E — — 14.17 — — —Pliocord ® SB 2108 — — — 14.16 — — Pliotec ® EL 80 — — — — 14.20 —Pliotec ® EL 25 — — — — — 14.20 Wingstay ® 29 0.78 0.78 0.79 0.79 0.790.78 Wingstay ® L 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.72 0.71 0.71 *Mix C and Mix Dcoagulated and were not usable.

Tacky Finish (Matrix-10) With RFL - 1 % Ingredients Solids Dry Wet RFL-2A B C D E Struktol ® XP 4395 49.8% 22.39 44.96 354.60 — — — — — Naturallatex   60% 22.39 37.32 427.56 93.40 93.62 93.53 93.53 93.65 RFL - 1  30% 3.23 10.75 102.11 26.84 26.93 26.94 27.04 27.26 Naugawhite ®   40%0.28 0.70 6.67 1.86 1.77 1.85 1.88 1.89 Litex-S 61   67% 3.60 5.37 51.2713.70 13.77 14.02 14.64 14.45 Wingstay ® 29  100% 0.26 0.26 2.81 0.730.65 0.92 0.66 0.72 Wingstay ® L   40% 0.26 0.65 6.42 1.63 6.79 1.682.12 1.68 Struktol ® XP 4395 - A 49.8% — — — 112.50 — — — — Struktol ®XP 4395 - B 50.0% — — — — 112.54 — — — Struktol ® XP 4406 47.8% — — — —— 112.43 — — Struktol ® XP 4407 50.9% — — — — — — 112.52 — Struktol ® XP4408 49.5% — — — — — — — 113.30 Struktol ® XP 4409 47.9% — — — — — — — —Struktol ® XP 4410 47.6% — — — — — — — — G-Tec GD LCVLC 60.8% — — — — —— — — WB3 Slurry 50.8% — — — — — — — — Glimmer Mica TG  100% — — — — — —— — Glimmer Mica TF  100% — — — — — — — — Kaolinmehl Surmin  100% — — —— — — — — KOG Ingredients F G H I J K L Struktol ® XP 4395 — — 114.2593.48 74.70 74.57 74.59 Natural latex 93.67 93.70 — 112.72 90.07 89.9289.94 RFL - 1 27.06 27.13 27.15 26.92 21.51 21.47 21.48 Naugawhite ®1.90 1.83 1.86 1.76 1.41 1.40 1.40 Litex-S 61 13.82 13.88 13.57 13.5210.80 10.78 10.78 Wingstay ® 29 0.82 0.86 0.73 0.74 0.59 0.59 0.59Wingstay ® L 1.94 2.01 1.87 1.69 1.35 1.35 1.35 Struktol ® XP 4395 - A —— — — — — — Struktol ® XP 4395 - B — — — — — — — Struktol ® XP 4406 — —— — — — — Struktol ® XP 4407 — — — — — — — Struktol ® XP 4408 — — — — —— — Struktol ® XP 4409 112.46 — — — — — — Struktol ® XP 4410 — 112.80 —— — — — G-Tec GD LCVLC — — 93.31 — — — — WB3 Slurry — — — 0.68 — — —Glimmer Mica TG — — — — 20.02 — — Glimmer Mica TF — — — — — 20.09 —Kaolinmehl Surmin — — — — — — 20.00 KOG

In the following examples, both RFL and tacky finish formulations wereapplied to the fabric using a conventional padding treatment procedure.In the RFL treatment procedure, the fabric was padded with the RFLformulation and dried for 45 seconds at 140° C. in a convection oven.The fabric was then cured for 45 seconds at 190° C. in the sameconvection oven. After the RFL treatment, the fabric was then furtherpadded with the tacky finish formulation and dried for 45 seconds in a130° C. convection oven.

“Tire Rubber 1,” “Tire Rubber 2,” and “Tire Rubber 3” were standard,commercially available tire rubber samples.

C. Tacky Level Fabric-to-Fabric (F/F) Test Procedure

The following test procedure was used to evaluate the tack level of thetreated fabric:

Equipment Set-Up

In this test procedure, two pieces of treated fabric are pressed againsteach other and then torn away from each other. The compression force wasconstant at 200 N. The amount of force that is needed to tear the twopieces of fabric away from each other is calculated as the amount oftackiness and is provided in the test results as such. The equipmentused for this test was a Lloyd instruments LRX with a load cell of 500Newtons. The test surface was 5 centimeters by 5 centimeters in size.

Preparation of the test equipment included turning on the Lloydinstrument, the PC and the display monitor. After the PC started up, theprogram was initiated by double clicking on the “Go” icon. Remotecontrol (A of B) on pressed on the console. On the display monitor, thered space bar was moved to the 3^(rd) line to indicate “load testset-up,” the “enter” button was pressed. In the space provided, “TACK”was typed and the “enter” button was pressed. The red space bar wasmoved to the 4th line to indicate “perform test” and the “enter” buttonwas pressed two times. The test layout appeared.

Fabric Testing

Three test strips were cut from the fabric with measurements +/−8 cm inthe fill direction and +/−20 cm in warp direction. The three test stripswere cut from the left side of the fabric, from the middle of the fabricand from the right side of the fabric. The fabric strips were cut in themiddle for the bottom clamp and the upper clamp.

The fabric strips were positioned into the clamped and secured in place.The distance between the 2 clamps was 108 mm. The test was started bypressing F6=0 and then F7=start.

After the 4 following steps the upper clamp comes down:

Step 1 300 mm/min.  Step 2 50 mm/min. Step 3 10 mm/min. Step 4 10mm/min.

At step 4, the upper clamp presses on the bottom clamp for 60 seconds at200 Newtons of pressure. The various steps were observable on themonitor. At the end of the test, the upper clamp comes up in step 5 witha speed of 10 mm/minute and 300 mm/minute. The test results weredisplayed on the monitor and were provided as Newtons.

D. Tacky Level Fabric-to-Rubber (F/R) Test Procedure

The following test procedure was used to evaluate the tack level of thetreated fabric and rubber:

A strip of the treated fabric was cut into 5 cm×25 cm sample size. Thefabric was placed on top of a rubber sample to form a fabric-rubbercomposite. A 9 kg weight was applied to the fabric-rubber composite fora certain period of time (approximately 30 seconds). The weight wasremoved after expiration of the time period. The tacky level of thefabric to rubber (e.g. the force required to pull the fabric from therubber sample) was determined using a tensile tester machine to pullapart the fabric from the rubber sample. The results were provided inNewtons/5 cm.

E. Adhesion Test Procedure

A modified version of ASTM D4393 “Standard Test Method for Strap PeelAdhesion of Reinforcing Cords or Fabrics to Rubber Compounds” was usedto determine adhesion of treated fabric to rubber.

Multiple layers of the treated fabric and rubber samples were combinedas illustrated below:

Belt Compound

--------------------------- Mica XXXXXXXXXXXXX Belt compound (1.02 mm)=============== Treated Fabric XXXXXXXXXXXXX Belt compound (1.02 mm)=============== Treated Fabric ---- Mica XXXXXXXXXXXXX Belt compound(1.02 mm) =============== Treated Fabric XXXXXXXXXXXXX Belt compound(1.02 mm) =============== Treated Fabric XXXXXXXXXXXXX Belt compound(1.02 mm) --------------------------- Mica

Base Tread Compound

--------------------------- Mica =============== Treated FabricXXXXXXXXXXXXX Base tread compound (3.53 mm) ---- Mica ===============Treated Fabric XXXXXXXXXXXXX Base tread compound (3.53 mm)--------------------------- Mica

Vulcanization conditions for treated fabric combined with Tire Rubber 2samples were 32 minutes at 160° C. at 26.0 bar pressure. Vulcanizationconditions for treated fabric combined with Tire Rubber 3 samples were24 minutes at 170° C. at 26.0 bar pressure. Test results were providedin Newtons/mm.

F. Tensile Strength and Elongation Test Procedure

A modified version of standard test method DIN 53857 was used toevaluate the tensile strength (or breaking load) and elongation (orextension at break) of the treated fabric. The breaking load was themaximum load applied to a specimen in stretching it to rupture. Thebreaking extension was the extension at breaking load. The extension ata specified loading was generally specified as % of the ultimate tensilestrength.

The test procedure was as follows:

The equipment used for this test was a Lloyd 50 KN tensile tester withrubber-lined jaw faces that were 10 centimeters wide and having a loadcell of 30 KN.

In preparing the fabric samples for testing, 150 mm of the selvedge wasavoided and, where possible, no two fabric samples contained the sameends. Three fabric samples were cut (or five fabric samples for fabricwider than 160 centimeters) in both the warp and fill direction.

Each sample measured 60 mm wide and 500 mm long (for knitted elasticfabrics, the samples were cut 50 mm wide and 500 mm long). Care wastaken to not allow the fabric to fray during the step of cutting.

The direction of warp threads for each fabric samples was marked.

The fabric samples were then frayed down to 50 mm in width by removingthe threads equally on either side of the samples. Care was taken toensure that each fabric sample contained the same number of warp andfill yarns.

Testing of standard fabric with feelers included setting the crossheadspeed to 300 m/min, setting the gauge length to 200 mm, setting thelaser electronics length to 100 mm, and using 180 bar pressure for thejaws.

The fabric sample was inserted into the upper and lower grips ensuringthat the specimen is straight.

Pretension was set at: EP 63  90N ( 1/10 of min. Tensile/cm required) EP80 110N EP 100 135N EP 125 170N EP 160 210N EP 200 260N EP 250 315N EP350 415N EP 400 580N

Testing of standard fabric without feelers included setting thecrosshead speed to 200 m/min, setting the gauge length to 200 mm, nolaser scan was utilized, and using 180 bar pressure for the jaws.

The fabric sample was inserted into the upper and lower grips ensuringthat the specimen is straight. Pretension was set at 40 N.

Testing of elastic knitted fabric without feelers included setting thecrosshead speed to 100 m/min, setting the gauge length to 100 mm, nolaser scan was utilized, and using 180 bar pressure for the jaws.

The maximum breaking load for the warp and for the fill fabric sampleswas determined from the test procedure. The mean values for the warp andfill samples were calculated separately using the following equation:

$\% \mspace{14mu} {extension}\text{:}\mspace{20mu} \frac{L({mm})}{{gauge}\mspace{14mu} {length}\mspace{14mu} ({mm})(1)} \times 100$

-   -   L: elongation in mm    -   (1): gauge length by using laser electronics=100 mm        -   without laser electronics=200 mm        -   elastic knitted fabric=100 mm

All results were calculated through a computer which was connected tothe testing machines.

It was noted that if the break of any test fabric occurred within 5 mmof the jaw at the load substantially less than the average of normalbreaks, this activity would be recorded. However, the test result wouldbe rejected for breaking load and extension.

G. Aging Test Procedure

Samples put in an oven at 70° C. for a total period of 240 hours. Thefabric-to-fabric tacky level) (K/I/0° was tested at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96,168 and 240 hours.

H. Test Results

Several fabrics were treated with various tacky finishes of the presentinvention (with and without RFL treatment). These treated fabrics weretested for tackiness and for tensile strength and elongation accordingto the test procedures described herein.

“DPU” is dry pick up; I=Weft side; K=Warp side; 0°=chains tested in thesame direction; 90°=chains tested crossed; F/F=Tacky level testedfabric-to-fabric; F/TR1=Tacky level tested fabric-to-Tire Rubber 1;I/TR1=Tacky level tested Weft side-to-Tire Rubber 1; K/TR1=Tacky leveltested Warp side-to-Tire Rubber 1; Belt=Adhesion results to the Beltcompound for the tire rubber sample; Under tread=Adhesion results to theUnder tread compound of the tire rubber sample.

Test results are provided in Tables 1A to 10 below.

TABLE 1A Tackiness Test Results for Dermulsene ™ Product Without RFL DPUTotal Tacky (F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90°K/I/90° K/I/0° Production REF Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.2187 8.87376.7889 5.5824 Mix With Modicol Fabric A 255.58 38.29 14.98 23.137013.1360 15.2900 16.2940 Mix With Modicol Fabric B 195.20 33.83 17.335.9624 2.7116 4.0883 7.0928 Mix Without Fabric A 260.06 42.77 16.4516.6280 8.8056 10.2560 12.0160 Modicol Mix Without Fabric B 198.05 36.6818.52 4.9759 3.2948 4.0952 3.7473 Modicol Dermulsene ™ Fabric A 257.2039.91 15.52 16.2650 11.8860 11.6470 13.4520 222 (1A) Dermulsene ™ FabricA 251.09 33.80 13.46 24.3710 13.4760 15.9670 15.2000 HBR 803 (5A)Dermulsene ™ Fabric A 249.04 31.75 12.75 22.3060 19.4450 14.6170 15.0800RE 802 (7A) Dermulsene ™ Fabric A 249.33 32.04 12.85 21.0590 12.227017.0070 18.8610 TR 602 (9A)

TABLE 1B Tackiness Test Results for Dermulsene ™ Product With RFL DPUTotal Tacky (F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90°K/I/90° K/I/0° Production Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.2187 8.87376.7889 5.5824 REF Mix With Fabric A 247.39 30.10 12.17 13.2470 10.669010.0680 10.8160 Modicol Mix With Fabric B 204.54 43.17 21.11 4.65885.7341 4.7128 3.7185 Modicol Mix Without Fabric A 237.84 20.55 8.646.2958 11.2400 9.2775 9.8329 Modicol Mix Without Fabric B 187.82 26.4514.08 4.0540 3.0475 3.2835 3.9054 Modicol Dermulsene ™ Fabric A 244.2626.97 11.04 10.0880 5.5191 5.6581 3.7806 222 (1B) Dermulsene ™ Fabric B181.37 20.00 11.03 2.0557 1.1296 1.2301 0.7410 HBR 803 (5B) Dermulsene ™Fabric B 176.56 15.19 8.60 1.5739 1.3568 1.4478 1.6406 RE 802 (7B)Dermulsene ™ Fabric B 177.12 15.75 8.89 1.8242 1.5132 1.8294 1.8189 TR602 (9B)

TABLE 1C Aging Test Results for Dermulsene ™ Product Without RFL TackyLevel (F/F) (Newtons) At Time Intervals Sample Fabric 0 24 48 72 120 168240 288 REF 1 A Fabric A 16.2940 12.9080 — 9.9425 — 11.2240 5.7529 — REF1 A Fabric B 7.0928 5.1722 — 3.6980 — 1.5491 1.3177 — REF 2 A Fabric A12.0160 9.7626 — 10.5560 — 3.8279 3.9306 — REF 2 A Fabric B 3.74733.9516 — 3.4607 — 0.7477 1.5362 — Dermulsene ™ Fabric A 13.4520 7.0224 —5.7032 — 0.2339 0.0737 — 1A Dermulsene ™ Fabric A 15.0800 10.9020 —6.6818 — 6.0924 3.1702 — 7A Dermulsene ™ Fabric A 18.8610 5.5961 8.2773— 5.2358 4.4542 — 7.7967 9A

TABLE 1D Aging Test Results for Dermulsene ™ Product With RFL TackyLevel (F/F) (Newtons) At Time Intervals Sample Fabric 0 24 48 72 120 168240 288 REF 1 B Fabric A 10.8160 7.5774 — 4.8813 — 0.3320 0.2708 — REF 1B Fabric B 3.7185 3.9135 — 2.1279 — 1.9595 0.8009 — REF 2 B Fabric A9.8329 3.0012 — 2.5713 — 0.8492 0.0314 — REF 2 B Fabric B 3.9054 1.3924— 1.0223 — 0.2270 0.0466 — Dermulsene ™ Fabric A 3.7806 2.3753 — 0.2419— 0.0905 0.0546 — 1B Dermulsene ™ Fabric B 1.6406 0.6429 — 0.6925 —0.0675 0.0881 — 7B Dermulsene ™ Fabric B 1.8189 0.1812 0.2734 — 0.04170.0629 — 0.0230 9B

TABLE 2A Tackiness Test Results for Snowtack ™ Product Without RFL DPUTotal Tacky (F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90°K/I/90° K/I/0° Production Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.2187 8.87376.7889 5.5824 REF Mix With Fabric B 195.20 33.83 17.33 5.9624 2.71164.0883 7.0928 Modicol Mix Without Fabric B 198.05 36.68 18.52 4.97593.2948 4.0952 3.7473 Modicol Snowtack ™ Fabric B 184.87 23.50 12.713.3393 1.5573 3.4972 3.7442 100 G (1A) Snowtack ™ Fabric B 194.87 33.5017.19 13.0480 15.1720 8.7224 14.1290 779 F (3A) Snowtack ™ Fabric B174.31 12.94 7.42 9.9530 3.8707 2.8077 8.2586 SE 780 G (5A) Snowtack ™Fabric B 182.84 21.47 11.74 2.5978 3.0710 1.4360 2.8041 SE 780 K (7A)

TABLE 2B Tackiness Test Results for Snowtack ™ Product With RFL DPUTotal Tacky (F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90°K/I/90° K/I/0° Production Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.2187 8.87376.7889 5.5824 REF Mix With Fabric B 204.54 43.17 21.11 4.6588 5.73414.7128 3.7185 Modicol Mix Without Fabric B 187.82 26.45 14.08 4.05403.0475 3.2835 3.9054 Modicol Snowtack ™ Fabric B 181.70 20.33 11.1919.0990 15.3380 10.4220 14.6150 100 G (1B) Snowtack ™ Fabric B 176.4515.08 8.55 10.8130 5.6741 4.0371 10.2140 779 F (3B) Snowtack ™ Fabric B177.11 15.74 8.89 4.8495 8.1488 14.4150 7.1137 SE 780 G (5B) Snowtack ™Fabric B 176.07 14.70 8.35 1.9937 2.3742 1.9160 1.4924 SE 780 K (7B)

TABLE 2C Aging Test Results for Snowtack ™ Product Without RFL TackyLevel (F/F) (Newtons) At Time Intervals Sample Fabric 0 24 72 120 168240 288 REF 1 A Fabric B 7.0928 5.1722 3.6980 — 1.5491 1.3177 — REF 2 AFabric B 3.7473 3.9516 3.4607 — 0.7477 1.5362 — Snowtack ™ 1A Fabric B3.7442 1.7690 — 0.4574 0.0276 — 0.2219 Snowtack ™ 3A Fabric B 14.12903.8231 — 1.2596 1.5024 — 0.0183

TABLE 2D Aging Test Results for Snowtack ™ Product With RFL Tacky Level(F/F) (Newtons) At Time Intervals Sample Fabric 0 24 72 120 168 240 288REF 1 B Fabric B 3.7185 3.9135 2.1279 — 1.9595 0.8009 — REF 2 B Fabric B3.9054 1.3924 1.0223 — 0.2270 0.0466 — Snowtack ™ Fabric B 14.61504.0813 — 0.7054 0.1629 — 0.2022 1B Snowtack ™ Fabric B 10.2140 2.3608 —1.1476 0.0614 — 0.0064 3B

TABLE 3A Tackiness Test Results for Aquatac ® Product Without RFL DPUTotal Tacky (F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90°K/I/90° K/I/0° Production Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.2187 8.87376.7889 5.5824 REF Mix With Fabric A 255.58 38.29 14.98 23.1370 13.136015.2900 16.2940 Modicol Mix Fabric A 260.06 42.77 16.45 16.6280 8.805610.2560 12.0160 Without Modicol Aquatac ® Fabric A 246.92 29.63 12.00 —— — 41.283 XR 4316 (1A)

TABLE 3B Tackiness Test Results for Aquatac ® Product With RFL DPU TotalTacky (F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90° K/I/90°K/I/0° Production Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.2187 8.8737 6.7889 5.5824REF Mix With Fabric A 247.39 30.10 12.17 13.2470 10.6690 10.0680 10.8160Modicol Mix Fabric A 237.84 20.55 8.64 6.2958 11.2400 9.2775 9.8329Without Modicol Aquatac ® Fabric A 243.92 26.63 10.92 36.0130 14.705022.9610 25.5210 XR 4316 (1B)

TABLE 4A Tackiness Test Results for Struktol ® (Struktol-1) ProductWithout RFL DPU Total Tacky (F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric g/m² g/m³ %I/I/90° K/K/90° K/I/90° K/I/0° Production REF Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.618.2187 8.8737 6.7889 5.5824 Mix With Modicol Fabric A 255.58 38.29 14.9823.1370 13.1360 15.2900 16.2940 Mix Without Fabric A 260.06 42.77 16.4516.6280 8.8056 10.2560 12.0160 Modicol Struktol ® Fabric A 269.78 52.4919.46 — — — 19.145 LT 159 (1A) Struktol ® Fabric A 262.86 45.57 17.34 —— — 18.306 LT 356 (3A) Struktol ® Fabric A 260.08 42.79 16.45 — — —31.535 XP 4392 (5A) Struktol ® Fabric A 257.53 40.24 15.63 — — — 21.960XP 4394 (7A) Struktol ® Fabric A 258.79 41.50 16.04 — — — 27.549 XP 4395(9A) Struktol ® Fabric A 256.26 38.97 15.21 — — — 16.285 XP 4397 (11A)Struktol ® Fabric A 256.27 38.98 15.21 — — — 29.552 XP 4398 (13A)

TABLE 4B Tackiness Test Results for Struktol ® (Struktol-1) Product WithRFL DPU Total Tacky (F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90°K/K/90° K/I/90° K/I/0° Production REF Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.21878.8737 6.7889 5.5824 Mix With Modicol Fabric A 247.39 30.10 12.1713.2470 10.6690 10.0680 10.8160 Mix Without Fabric A 237.84 20.55 8.646.2958 11.2400 9.2775 9.8329 Modicol Struktol ® Fabric A 252.55 35.2613.96 11.7220 14.1140 15.5380 16.560 LT 159 (1B) Struktol ® Fabric A259.70 42.41 16.33 13.9080 12.0940 15.3040 25.034 LT 356 (3B) Struktol ®Fabric A 256.62 39.33 15.33 23.9750 25.1890 25.2840 26.003 XP 4392 (5B)Struktol ® Fabric A 254.62 37.33 14.66 29.8520 16.2330 17.9780 24.212 XP4394 (7B) Struktol ® Fabric A 250.53 33.24 13.27 25.6810 20.9740 19.576033.657 XP 4395 (9B) Struktol ® Fabric A 251.98 34.69 13.77 24.327015.6500 12.4470 18.082 XP 4397 (11B) Struktol ® Fabric A 259.07 41.7816.13 25.2920 18.6070 15.4810 23.623 XP 4398 (13B) Tacky Level FabricTacky Level Fabric to Tire Rubber 1 to Tire Rubber 2 Adhesion to Tire(F/TR1) (F/TR2) Rubber 2 (Newtons/5 cm) (Newtons/5 cm) (Newtons/mm)Sample I/TR1 K/TR1 I/TR2 K/TR2 Belt Base tread Production REF 9.1 10.91.0 4.3 11.19 13.71 Mix With Modicol No — — — — — fabric available MixWithout Modicol No — — — — — fabric available Struktol ® LT 159 (1B) 7.413.4 No fabric No fabric 20.95 11.98 available available Struktol ® LT356 (3B) 5.5 7.6 No fabric No fabric 16.15 9.65 available availableStruktol ® XP 4392 (5B) 8.0 6.4 No fabric No fabric 13.13 9.27 availableavailable Struktol ® XP 4394 (7B) 6.3 5.4 No fabric No fabric 15.1418.70 available available Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) 6.1 7.5 3.0 2.3 19.2419.08 Struktol ® 5.5 8.4 No fabric No fabric 14.03 15.68 XP 4397 (11B)available available Struktol ® 7.3 8.3 No fabric No fabric 19.56 17.92XP 4398 (13B) available available

TABLE 4D Aging Test Results for Struktol ® (Struktol-1) Product With RFLTacky Level (F/F) (Newtons) At Time Intervals Sample Fabric 0 24 48 7296 168 240 Production Fabric A 5.5824 10.5780 7.9430 7.7150 3.53872.8474 3.6169 REF Mix With Fabric A 10.8160 7.5774 — 4.8813 — 0.33200.2708 Modicol Mix Fabric A 9.8329 3.0012 — 2.5713 — 0.8492 0.0314Without Modicol Struktol ® Fabric A 16.560 23.4580 23.2775 13.04858.4412 4.5498 0.2596 LT 159 (1B) Struktol ® Fabric A 25.034 9.49936.3933 6.5409 6.3207 1.3080 0.9723 LT 356 (3B) Struktol ® Fabric A26.003 13.8345 10.9105 8.1737 5.7903 1.6289 0.3541 XP 4392 (5B)Struktol ® Fabric A 24.212 14.9852 16.9025 10.3266 6.6474 4.0215 1.4050XP 4394 (7B) Struktol ® Fabric A 33.657 11.2449 9.0429 9.7567 6.18572.3449 1.8660 XP 4395 (9B) Struktol ® Fabric A 18.082 8.3461 7.73717.7476 1.1126 1.9236 0.0025 XP 4397 (11B) Struktol ® Fabric A 23.6236.9250 4.9950 3.3023 0.6821 0.2397 0.0150 XP 4398 (13B)

TABLE 5 Tackiness Test Results for Struktol ® (Struktol-2) Product DPUTacky (F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric Total g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90°K/I/90° K/I/0° Production Fabric A 235.19 235.19 100.00 8.2187 8.87376.7889 5.5824 REF REF 1A Fabric A 255.58 38.29 14.98 23.1370 13.136015.2900 16.2940 REF 1B Fabric A 247.39 30.10 12.17 13.2470 10.669010.0680 10.8160 REF 2A Fabric A 260.06 42.77 16.45 16.6280 8.805610.2560 12.0160 REF 2B Fabric A 237.84 20.55 8.64 6.2958 11.2400 9.27759.8329 Struktol ® Fabric A 266.05 48.76 18.33 13.3340 10.7390 12.594010.720 1A Struktol ® Fabric A 255.84 38.55 15.07 12.0600 11.3750 13.944010.704 1B Struktol ® Fabric A 261.67 44.38 16.96 10.6480 10.9320 11.51309.003 1C Struktol ® Fabric A 269.56 52.27 19.39 14.6490 9.3176 11.35709.368 2A Struktol ® Fabric A 257.05 39.76 15.47 10.8920 10.4640 11.11709.391 2B Struktol ® Fabric A 254.66 37.37 14.67 11.1890 10.5850 11.294011.305 2C Struktol ® Fabric A 260.97 43.68 16.74 16.4310 8.7419 12.27109.799 3A Struktol ® Fabric A 259.48 42.19 16.26 8.2276 9.8091 9.63458.280 3B Struktol ® Fabric A 251.38 34.09 13.56 15.1800 9.9150 11.306010.419 3C Struktol ® Fabric A 256.97 39.68 15.44 8.2427 10.1960 9.481610.043 4A Struktol ® Fabric A 255.53 38.24 14.96 8.9236 9.4967 10.20709.346 4B Struktol ® Fabric A 252.54 35.25 13.96 11.4300 11.5910 11.43209.476 4C Struktol ® Fabric A 267.31 50.02 18.71 13.0230 7.9985 11.69508.649 5A Struktol ® Fabric A 257.88 40.59 15.74 22.4690 11.9960 12.738014.196 5B Struktol ® Fabric A 250.26 32.97 13.17 15.1640 12.6470 13.16508.479 5C Struktol ® Fabric A 260.47 43.18 16.58 15.2870 9.2837 8.920510.437 6A Struktol ® Fabric A 255.51 38.22 14.96 20.9650 10.3770 18.046013.458 6B Struktol ® Fabric A 246.10 28.81 11.71 18.2780 6.8844 12.907013.146 6C

TABLE 6A Tackiness Test Results for Struktol ® (Struktol-3) Product DPUTacky (F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric Total g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90°K/I/90° K/I/0° Production Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.2187 8.87376.7889 5.5824 REF Mix With Fabric A 255.58 38.29 14.98 23.1370 13.136015.2900 16.2940 Modicol Mix With Fabric A 247.39 30.10 12.17 13.247010.6690 10.0680 10.8160 Modicol + RFL Mix Fabric A 260.06 42.77 16.4516.6280 8.8056 10.2560 12.0160 Without Modicol Mix Fabric A 237.84 20.55 8.64 6.2958 11.2400 9.2775 9.8329 Without Modicol + RFL Struktol ®Fabric A 250.53 33.24 13.27 25.6810 20.9740 19.5760 33.657 XP 4395 (9B)Struktol ® Fabric A 261.22 43.93 16.82 8.9947 8.9313 13.8970 10.793 LT356 (3D) Struktol ® Fabric A 260.97 43.68 16.74 31.0440 26.8750 27.930028.578 XP 4392 (5D) Struktol ® Fabric A 256.45 39.16 15.27 30.353020.6120 21.4210 20.749 XP 4394 (7D) Struktol ® Fabric A 240.71 23.42 9.73 45.6260 38.5690 38.8340 40.164 XP 4395 (9B) Struktol ® Fabric A —— — 23.3960 10.6200 18.7460 16.827 XP 4395 na 45″ @ 180° C. Struktol ®Fabric A 260.52 43.23 16.59 33.0780 21.0780 27.1540 26.413 XP 4395 + TMQ(9B + TMQ) Struktol ® Fabric A 267.17 49.88 18.67 27.6200 13.311020.8000 19.459 XP 4395 (9D) Struktol ® Fabric A 259.29 42.00 16.2036.1370 34.2170 38.8750 30.817 XP 4399 (15A) Struktol ® Fabric A 265.0747.78 18.03 32.8380 27.5940 30.5430 23.617 XP 4399 (15B) Tacky LevelFabric to Tire Adhesion to Rubber 1 (F/TR1) Tire Rubber 3 (Newtons/5 cm)(Newtons/mm) Sample I/TR1 K/TR1 Belt Under tread Production 9.1 10.9 7.31 6.74 REF Mix With No fabric available Modicol Mix With No fabricavailable Modicol + RFL Mix Without No fabric available Modicol MixWithout No fabric available Modicol + RFL Struktol ® XP 6.1 7.5 Nofabric available 4395 (9B) Struktol ® LT 5.1 5.7 6.44 6.96 356 (3D)Struktol ® XP 4.8 4.8 7.22 6.98 4392 (5D) Struktol ® XP 4.7 3.7 7.146.58 4394 (7D) Struktol ® XP 6.9 4.3 7.46 6.95 4395 (9B) Struktol ® XP —— — — 4395 na 45″ @ 180° C. Struktol ® XP 5.2 5.0 6.59 7.71 4395 + TMQ(9B + TMQ) Struktol ® XP 4.9 4.9 6.66 7.11 4395 (9D) Struktol ® XP — — —— 4399 (15A) Struktol ® XP 9.2 7.7 6.51 7.46 4399 (15B)

TABLE 6B Aging Test Results for Struktol ® (Struktol-3) Product TackyLevel (F/F) (Newtons) At Time Intervals Sample Fabric 0 24 48 72 96 168240 Production REF Fabric A 5.5824 10.5780 7.9430 7.7150 3.5387 2.84743.6169 Mix With Modicol Fabric A 10.8160 7.5774 — 4.8813 — 0.3320 0.2708Mix Without Modicol Fabric A 9.8329 3.0012 — 2.5713 — 0.8492 0.0314Struktol ® XP 4395 Fabric A 33.657 11.2449 9.0429 9.7567 6.1857 2.34491.8660 (9B) Struktol ® LT 356 (3D) Fabric A 10.793 3.0145 6.5397 3.02331.7336 2.0415 0.0465 Struktol ® XP 4392 Fabric A 28.578 14.5355 19.055012.2070 7.1411 4.8426 0.4500 (5D) Struktol ® XP 4394 Fabric A 20.74910.8749 15.2165 9.3733 9.7307 6.6972 1.1401 (7D) Struktol ® XP 4395Fabric A 40.164 13.1905 8.2240 8.4786 6.2426 8.2888 2.8078 (9B)Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 26.413 2.5740 3.2254 3.1982 3.3334 1.59800.9516 TMQ (9B + TMQ) Struktol ® XP 4395 Fabric A 19.459 6.8719 5.63608.2669 8.4955 1.0758 0.1592 (9D) Struktol ® XP 4399 Fabric A 23.6176.6596 5.4945 5.5293 4.4350 4.3473 0.9707 (15B)

TABLE 7A Tackiness Test Results for Struktol ® (Struktol-4) Product DPUTacky (F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric Total g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90°K/I/90° K/I/0° Production REF Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.2187 8.87376.7889 5.5824 Mix With Modicol Fabric A 255.58 38.29 14.98 23.137013.1360 15.2900 16.2940 Mix With Modicol + Fabric A 247.39 30.10 12.1713.2470 10.6690 10.0680 10.8160 RFL Mix Without Fabric A 260.06 42.7716.45 16.6280 8.8056 10.2560 12.0160 Modicol Mix Without Fabric A 237.8420.55 8.64 6.2958 11.2400 9.2775 9.8329 Modicol + RFL Struktol ® XPFabric A 250.53 33.24 13.27 25.6810 20.9740 19.5760 33.657 4395 (9B)Struktol ® XP Fabric A 240.71 23.42 9.73 45.6260 38.5690 38.8340 40.1644395 (9B) Struktol ® XP Fabric A 255.52 38.23 14.96 31.2450 23.319024.9000 22.5217 4395 (9B) Struktol ® XP Fabric A 273.73 56.44 20.6231.8140 25.0390 25.8300 25.0440 4395 (9Ba) + Struktol ® XP 4400Struktol ® XP Fabric A 268.91 51.62 19.20 22.3720 18.5180 26.483026.3263 4395 (9Bb) + Struktol ® XP 4402 Struktol ® XP Fabric A 259.6942.40 16.33 33.1010 19.7290 24.0090 24.2700 4395 (9Bc) + Aquamix ™ 111#Struktol XP 4395 Fabric A 252.42 35.13 13.92 22.2640 24.6170 25.738025.8390 (9 Bd) + Penacolite Resin I-168-L Struktol ® XP Fabric A 268.6851.39 19.13 40.1230 23.0940 32.5290 27.9547 4395 (9Be) + BismaleimideStruktol ® XP Fabric A 247.20 29.91 12.10 31.3630 18.6670 20.728024.7920 4395 (9Bf) + Aquamix ™ 111# + I-168-L + Bismaleimide Struktol ®XP Fabric A 258.76 41.47 16.03 27.3270 20.9630 24.5910 24.25604395/Struktol ® XP 4399 (9Bg) + Penacolite Resin I-168-L Tacky LevelFabric to Tire Rubber 1 Adhesion to (F/TR1) Tire Rubber 3 (Newtons/5 cm)(Newtons/mm) Sample I/TR1 K/TR1 Belt Under tread Production REF 9.1 10.97.31 6.74 Mix With Modicol No fabric available Mix With Modicol + RFL Nofabric available Mix Without Modicol No fabric available Mix WithoutModicol + No fabric available RFL Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) 6.1 7.5 Nofabric available Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) 6.9 4.3 7.46 6.95 Struktol ® XP4395 (9B) 9.3 8.1 7.25 7.43 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9Ba) + 7.0 7.8 7.38 6.80Struktol ® XP 4400 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9Bb) + 10.5 10.1 7.11 7.31Struktol ® XP 4402 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9Bc) + 8.1 8.3 8.02 6.75Aquamix ™ 111# Struktol XP 4395 (9 Bd) + 10.2 10.0 8.09 6.97 PenacoliteResin I-168-L Struktol ® XP 4395 (9Be) + 7.5 7.7 7.36 6.93 BismaleimideStruktol ® XP 4395 (9Bf) + 7.8 7.8 8.78 7.14 Aquamix ™ 111# + I-168-L +Bismaleimide Struktol ® XP 4395/ 9.5 7.2 7.97 6.59 Struktol ® XP 4399(9Bg) + Penacolite Resin I-168-L

TABLE 7B Aging Test Results for Struktol ® (Struktol-4) Product TackyLevel (F/F) (Newtons) At Time Intervals Sample Fabric 0 24 48 72 96 168240 Production REF Fabric A 5.5824 10.5780 7.9430 7.7150 3.5387 2.84743.6169 Mix With Modicol + RFL Fabric A 10.8160 7.5774 — 4.8813 — 0.33200.2708 Mix Without Modicol + RFL Fabric A 9.8329 3.0012 — 2.5713 —0.8492 0.0314 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 33.657 11.2449 9.04299.7567 6.1857 2.3449 1.8660 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 40.16413.1905 8.2240 8.4786 6.2426 8.2888 2.8078 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B)Fabric A 22.5217 6.2746 6.1279 4.9981 — 1.1563 0.2171 Struktol ® XP 4395(9 Ba) + Fabric A 25.0440 9.4289 5.2348 8.5538 — 0.9433 0.7699 StruktolXP 4400 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9 Bb) + Fabric A 26.3263 3.9868 5.05031.6823 — 1.4047 0.5049 Struktol ® XP 4402 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9 Bc) +Fabric A 24.2700 8.6589 4.7324 2.4997 — 0.1597 0.0487 Aquamix ™ 111#Struktol ® XP 4395 (9 Bd) + Fabric A 25.8390 6.6869 8.8907 6.4971 —2.6024 1.0672 Penacolite Resin I-168-L Struktol ® XP 4395 (9 Be) +Fabric A 27.9547 4.0500 7.9711 3.8465 — 1.4788 0.2132 BismaleimideStruktol ® XP 4395 (9 Bf) + Fabric A 24.7920 4.4309 7.6911 2.2549 —1.4763 0.3084 Aquamix ™ 111# + I-168-L + Bismaleimide Struktol ® XP4395/ Fabric A 24.2560 8.7784 4.3710 4.3643 — 1.0608 0.4155 Struktol XP4399 (9 Bg) + Penacolite Resin I-168-L

TABLE 8A Tackiness Test Results for Aquamix ™ Product Without RFL DPUTacky (F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric Total g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90°K/I/90° K/I/0° Production Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.2187 8.87376.7889 5.5824 REF Mix Without Fabric A 260.06 42.77 16.45 16.6280 8.805610.2560 12.0160 Modicol Mix Without Fabric A 237.84 20.55 8.64 6.295811.2400 9.2775 9.8329 Modicol + RFL Aquamix ™ Fabric A 255.49 38.2014.95 35.912 32.595 39.268 31.4607 814 # (1A) Aquamix ™ Fabric A 257.1839.89 15.51 7.6075 13.625 7.7216 6.0545 570 # (5A) Aquamix ™ Fabric A269.44 52.15 19.35 10.438 11.086 13.195 7.9024 569 # (7A)

TABLE 8B Tackiness Test Results for Aquamix ™ Product With RFL DPU Tacky(F/F) (Newtons) Sample Fabric Total g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90° K/I/90°K/I/0° Production Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.2187 8.8737 6.7889 5.5824REF Mix With Fabric A 255.58 38.29 14.98 23.1370 13.1360 15.2900 16.2940Modicol Mix With Fabric A 247.39 30.10 12.17 13.2470 10.6690 10.068010.8160 Modicol + RFL Aquamix ™ Fabric A 257.76 40.47 15.70 32.804023.9000 22.5880 24.1857 814 # (1B) Aquamix ™ Fabric A 246.06 28.77 11.696.6083 10.1620 5.9597 5.1484 570 # (5B) Aquamix ™ Fabric A 252.20 34.9113.84 7.5670 8.3389 8.8675 8.2230 569 # (7B) Tacky Level Fabric to TireAdhesion to Rubber 1 (F/TR1) Tire Rubber 3 (Newtons/5 cm) (Newtons/mm)Sample Fabric I/TR1 K/TR1 Belt Under tread Production Fabric A 9.1 10.97.31 6.74 REF Mix With Fabric A No fabric available Modicol Mix WithFabric A No fabric available Modicol + RFL Aquamix ™ Fabric A 8.4 11.98.62 7.69 814 # (1B) Aquamix ™ Fabric A — — — — 570 # (5B) Aquamix ™Fabric A — — — — 569 # (7B)

TABLE 8C Aging Test Results for Aquamix ™ Product Tacky Level (F/F)(Newtons) At Time Intervals Sample Fabric 0 24 48 72 96 168 240Production REF Fabric A 5.5824 10.5780 7.9430 7.7150 3.5387 2.84743.6169 Mix With Modicol + RFL Fabric A 10.8160 7.5774 — 4.8813 — 0.33200.2708 Mix Without Modicol + RFL Fabric A 9.8329 3.0012 — 2.5713 —0.8492 0.0314 Aquamix ™ 814 # (1B) Fabric A 24.1857 3.1870 4.9414 2.09811.2831 1.5653 0.9480

TABLE 9A Tackiness Test Results (Matrix 9-A) DPU Tacky (F/F) (Newtons)Sample Fabric Total g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90° K/I/90° K/I/0°Production REF Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.2187 8.8737 6.7889 5.5824Mix With Modicol (REF Fabric A 255.58 38.29 14.98 23.1370 13.136015.2900 16.2940 1A) Mix With Modicol + Fabric A 247.39 30.10 12.1713.2470 10.6690 10.0680 10.8160 RFL (REF 1B) Mix Without Modicol FabricA 260.06 42.77 16.45 16.6280 8.8056 10.2560 12.0160 (REF 2A) Mix WithoutModicol + Fabric A 237.84 20.55 8.64 6.2958 11.2400 9.2775 9.8329 RFL(REF 2B) Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 250.53 33.24 13.27 25.68120.974 19.576 33.657 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 240.71 23.42 9.7345.626 38.569 38.834 40.164 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 255.5238.23 14.96 31.245 23.319 24.900 22.522 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A250.46 33.17 13.24 17.3980 15.2860 16.9040 13.9690 (4) Struktol ® XP4395 + Fabric A 271.68 54.39 20.02 27.7800 22.3850 23.2170 22.1527Struktol ® LA 214 (5) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 274.64 57.35 20.8822.7750 17.6270 18.7140 17.6560 Struktol ® LA 229 (6) Struktol ® XP4395 + Fabric A 269.11 51.82 19.26 23.3640 16.5700 19.4700 17.2533Struktol ® LA 331 (7) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 258.48 41.19 15.9414.0470 12.7190 13.3720 12.2453 50% Aquanox L (8) Struktol ® XP 4395 +Fabric A 270.02 52.73 19.53 22.8280 13.5620 18.0470 15.3570 45% Aquanox2246 (15) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 265.14 47.85 18.05 16.677014.1320 16.2710 14.7923 Disponil ® SLS 101 Special (16) Struktol ® XP4395 + Fabric A 265.77 48.48 18.24 18.5560 10.1500 13.3680 12.1922Disponil ® SDS 15 Tacky Level Fabric To Tire Adhesion to Rubber 1(F/TR1) Tire Rubber 3 (Newtons/5 cm) (Newtons/mm) Sample Fabric I/TR1K/TR1 Belt Under tread Production REF Fabric A 9.1 10.9 7.31 6.74 MixWith Modicol (REF Fabric A No fabric available 1A) Mix With Modicol +Fabric A No fabric available RFL (REF 1B) Mix Without Modicol Fabric ANo fabric available (REF 2A) Mix Without Modicol + Fabric A No fabricavailable RFL (REF 2B) Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 6.1 7.5 Nofabric available Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 6.9 4.3 7.46 6.95Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 9.3 8.1 7.25 7.43 Struktol ® XP 4395(9B) Fabric A 7.3 6.9 8.25 10.04 (4) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 10.36.9 3.38 2.86 Struktol ® LA 214 (5) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 5.44.2 8.04 7.74 Struktol ® LA 229 (6) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 7.47.2 7.55 8.14 Struktol ® LA 331 (7) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 7.37.2 7.98 8.32 50% Aquanox L (8) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 10.1 8.56.84 7.60 45% Aquanox 2246 (15) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 8.1 7.88.03 8.09 Disponil ® SLS 101 Special (16) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A9.2 7.9 7.71 7.86 Disponil ® SDS 15

TABLE 9B Tackiness Test Results (Matrix 9-B) DPU Tacky (F/F) (Newtons)Sample Fabric Total g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90° K/I/90° K/I/0°Production REF Fabric A 235.19 17.90 7.61 8.2187 8.8737 6.7889 5.5824Mix With Modicol Fabric A 255.58 38.29 14.98 23.1370 13.1360 15.290016.2940 (REF 1A) Mix With Modicol + Fabric A 247.39 30.10 12.17 13.247010.6690 10.0680 10.8160 RFL (REF 1B) Mix Without Fabric A 260.06 42.7716.45 16.6280 8.8056 10.2560 12.0160 Modicol (REF 2A) Mix Without FabricA 237.84 20.55 8.64 6.2958 11.2400 9.2775 9.8329 Modicol + RFL (REF 2B)Struktol ® XP Fabric A 250.53 33.24 13.27 25.681 20.974 19.576 33.6574395 (9B) Struktol ® XP Fabric A 240.71 23.42 9.73 45.626 38.569 38.83440.164 4395 (9B) Struktol ® XP Fabric A 255.52 38.23 14.96 31.245 23.31924.900 22.522 4395 (9B) Struktol ® XP Fabric A 250.46 33.17 13.2417.3980 15.2860 16.9040 13.9690 4395 (9B) Struktol ® XP Fabric A 247.8130.52 12.32 9.1274 6.5657 5.7848 7.2115 4395 (9B) (A) 40% Aquares FabricA 244.44 27.15 11.11 10.7380 14.7030 15.1840 14.2950 T 100 H (B) 60%Aquares Fabric A 247.10 29.81 12.06 2.3962 2.5472 2.4466 1.4686 T 20 H(F) IMCD - Fabric A 251.45 34.16 13.59 9.1945 2.1227 2.9667 2.6235Sample 1 (9) Struktol ® XP Fabric A 247.17 29.88 12.09 4.1867 4.87964.1202 3.9861 4395 + Hydro- Rez ™ 1100 D (10) Struktol ® XP Fabric A242.96 25.67 10.57 9.2122 5.3474 7.2374 5.2973 4395 + Hydro- Rez ™ 1400D (11) Struktol ® XP Fabric A 255.35 38.06 14.91 8.4378 10.6400 11.39908.4404 4395 + Hydro- Rez ™ 800 E (12) Struktol ® XP Fabric A 247.1029.81 12.06 2.7534 7.9873 8.9242 7.7534 4395 + Pliocord ® SB 2108 (13)Struktol ® XP Fabric A 249.06 31.77 12.76 9.3246 9.4860 8.8594 10.97754395 + Pliotec ® EL 80 (14) Struktol ® XP Fabric A 248.71 31.42 12.6311.4930 6.9837 7.0507 5.0279 4395 + Pliotec ® EL 25 Tacky Level Fabricto Tire Adhesion to Rubber 1 (F/TR1) Tire Rubber 3 (Newtons/5 cm)(Newtons/mm) Sample Fabric I/TR1 K/TR1 Belt Under tread Production REFFabric A 9.1 10.9  7.31 6.74 Mix With Modicol (REF 1A) Fabric A Nofabric available Mix With Modicol + Fabric A No fabric available RFL(REF 1B) Mix Without Modicol Fabric A No fabric available (REF 2A) MixWithout Modicol + Fabric A No fabric available RFL (REF 2B) Struktol ®XP 4395 Fabric A 6.1 7.5 No fabric (9B) available Struktol ® XP 4395(9B) Fabric A 6.9 4.3 7.46 6.95 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 9.3 8.17.25 7.43 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 7.3 6.9 8.25 10.04 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 7.5 6.4 7.68 8.58 (A) 40% Aquares TFabric A 4.6 6.1 7.85 7.72 100 H (B) 60% Aquares T 20 H Fabric A 4.5 5.28.16 7.37 (F) IMCD - Sample 1 Fabric A 6.9 5.2 7.76 7.48 (9) Struktol ®XP 4395 + Fabric A 7.8 5.1 7.75 6.84 Hydro-Rez ™ 1100 D (10) Struktol ®XP 4395 + Fabric A 4.5 6.1 8.30 7.46 Hydro-Rez ™ 1400 D (11) Struktol ®XP 4395 + Fabric A 8.7 4.4 2.72 1.56 Hydro-Rez ™ 800 E (12) Struktol ®XP 4395 + Fabric A 6.0 6.0 7.76 8.98 Pliocord ® SB 2108 (13) Struktol ®XP 4395 + Fabric A 5.1 4.9 7.56 7.18 Pliotec ® EL 80 (14) Struktol ® XP4395 + Fabric A 5.2 5.5 7.96 7.44 Pliotec ® EL 25

TABLE 9C Aging Test Results (Matrix 9-A) Tacky Level (F/F) (Newtons) AtTime Intervals Sample Fabric 0 24 48 72 96 168 240 Production REF FabricA 5.5824 10.5780 7.9430 7.7150 3.5387 2.8474 3.6169 Mix With Modicol +RFL Fabric A 10.8160 7.5774 — 4.8813 — 0.3320 0.2708 Mix WithoutModicol + Fabric A 9.8329 3.0012 — 2.5713 — 0.8492 0.0314 RFL Struktol ®XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 33.657 11.2449 9.0429 9.7567 6.1857 2.3449 1.8660Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 40.164 13.1905 8.2240 8.4786 6.24268.2888 2.8078 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 13.9690 2.1342 0.97671.8151 1.3062 0.5413 0.2671 (4) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 22.15276.7093 2.2585 2.5136 1.4995 0.7924 0.6257 Struktol ® LA 214 (5)Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 17.6560 3.9235 3.0080 1.2153 1.6016 0.97460.2650 Struktol ® LA 229 (6) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 17.25332.6124 1.6210 1.3511 1.4532 0.3618 0.5161 Struktol ® LA 331 (7)Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 12.2453 1.2993 0.9519 1.6618 0.4760 0.23240.2255 50% Aquanox L (8) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 15.3570 2.21201.5886 1.3926 1.0118 0.9993 0.0789 45% Aquanox 2246 (15) Struktol ® XP4395 + Fabric A 14.7923 2.8052 1.7640 0.6099 1.0262 0.1683 0.1169Disponil ® SLS 101 Special (16) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 12.19222.6285 1.5515 1.0076 0.6098 0.2726 0.1114 Disponil ® SDS 15

TABLE 9D Aging Test Results (Matrix 9-B) Tacky Level (F/F) (Newtons) AtTime Intervals Sample Fabric 0 24 48 72 96 168 240 Production REF FabricA 5.5824 10.5780 7.9430 7.7150 3.5387 2.8474 3.6169 Mix With Modicol +RFL Fabric A 10.8160 7.5774 — 4.8813 — 0.3320 0.2708 Mix WithoutModicol + Fabric A 9.8329 3.0012 — 2.5713 — 0.8492 0.0314 RFL Struktol ®XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 33.657 11.2449 9.0429 9.7567 6.1857 2.3449 1.8660Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 40.164 13.1905 8.2240 8.4786 6.24268.2888 2.8078 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 13.9690 2.1342 0.97671.8151 1.3062 0.5413 0.2671 Struktol ® XP 4395 (9B) Fabric A 7.21151.4467 0.3032 0.2485 0.0455 0.0743 0.0262 (A) 40% Aquares T 100 H FabricA 14.2950 10.0608 4.7032 2.8271 1.6437 0.7456 0.0859 (B) 60% Aquares T20 H Fabric A 1.4686 0.7280 0.4172 0.3409 0.0670 0.0157 0.1013 (F)IMCD - Sample 1 Fabric A 2.6235 1.0101 0.2076 0.1149 0.1591 0.08540.1059 (9) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 3.9861 1.2572 0.1556 0.15450.0570 0.0225 0.0713 Hydro-Rez ™ 1100 D (10) Struktol ® XP 4395 + FabricA 5.2973 1.4870 0.5444 0.3272 0.3959 0.0075 0.0541 Hydro-Rez ™ 1400 D(11) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 8.4404 2.0984 0.8567 1.0935 0.19280.0991 0.1012 Hydro-Rez ™ 800 E (12) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A7.7534 1.3560 0.0638 0.1575 0.0945 0.0266 0.1993 Pliocord ® SB 2108 (13)Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 10.9775 1.3071 1.7614 0.9357 0.2206 0.07230.1056 Pliotec ® EL 80 (14) Struktol ® XP 4395 + Fabric A 5.0279 1.56650.5306 0.1563 0.1834 0.0863 0.1227 Pliotec ® EL 25

TABLE 10 Tackiness Test Results (Matrix 10) DPU Tacky (F/F) (Newtons)Sample Fabric Total g/m² g/m³ % I/I/90° K/K/90° K/I/90° K/I/0° Ref RFL -2 Fabric A 253.42 36.13 14.26 6.8613 10.322 11.137 9.9133 A RFL - 2,replace Fabric A 247.31 30.02 12.14 9.6316 5.0662 8.1579 6.4839Struktol ® XP 4395-A B RFL - 2, replace Fabric A 242.35 25.06 10.341.9576 0.4985 3.3658 2.4326 Struktol ® XP 4395-B C RFL - 2, replaceFabric A 250.44 33.15 13.24 2.8595 2.2936 4.1628 2.3458 Struktol ® XP4406 D RFL - 2, replace Fabric A 247.60 30.31 12.24 5.5398 2.8782 5.77054.2796 Struktol ® XP 4407 E RFL - 2, replace Fabric A 246.94 29.65 12.018.286 8.8041 7.1351 7.4339 Struktol ® XP 4408 F RFL - 2, replace FabricA 241.79 24.50 10.13 12.310 7.8718 9.4916 7.7876 Struktol ® XP 4409 GRFL - 2, replace Fabric A 252.18 34.89 13.84 2.5088 2.1243 1.4280 2.2998Struktol XP 4410 H RFL - 2, replace Fabric A 251.78 34.49 13.70 6.52067.1565 9.2611 4.8148 Natural latex by G Tex GD LCV LC I RFL - 2 + 0.5%Fabric A 254.93 37.64 14.76 17.816 4.7476 5.8065 8.6323 WB 3 Slurry JRFL - 2 + 10% Fabric A 258.26 40.97 15.86 3.2311 3.4729 3.2173 3.9141Glimmer Mica TG K RFL - 2 + 10% Fabric A 249.20 31.91 12.80 3.88973.0519 3.4894 3.5992 Glimmer Mica TF L RFL - 2 + 10% Fabric A 244.8127.52 11.24 3.4392 2.8097 2.9727 3.8281 Kaolinmehl Surmin KOG TackyLevel Fabric To Tire Adhesion to Rubber 1 (F/TR1) Tire Rubber 3(Newtons/5 cm) (Newtons/mm) Sample Fabric I/TR1 K/TR1 Belt Under treadRef RFL - 2 Fabric A 8.7 10.3 7.72 7.89 A RFL - 2, replace Fabric A 8.58.2 7.64 8.53 Struktol ® XP 4395-A B RFL - 2, replace Fabric A 6.9 8.27.36 8.27 Struktol ® XP 4395-B C RFL - 2, replace Fabric A 8.4 8.6 7.676.99 Struktol ® XP 4406 D RFL - 2, replace Fabric A 7.6 9.9 7.53 7.56Struktol ® XP 4407 E RFL - 2, replace Fabric A 8.0 10.2 8.36 7.18Struktol ® XP 4408 F RFL - 2, replace Fabric A 4.2 8.0 7.75 6.76Struktol ® XP 4409 G RFL - 2, replace Fabric A 6.0 6.9 6.08 8.08Struktol XP 4410 H RFL - 2, replace Fabric A 7.8 8.8 7.61 7.88 Naturallatex by G Tex GD LCV LC I RFL - 2 + 0.5% Fabric A 7.4 8.8 7.34 9.39 WB3 Slurry J RFL - 2 + 10% Fabric A 7.0 10.0 8.10 7.50 Glimmer Mica TG KRFL - 2 + 10% Fabric A 4.6 6.3 8.35 6.82 Glimmer Mica TF L RFL - 2 + 10%Fabric A 8.0 8.3 8.39 7.89 Kaolinmehl Surmin KOG

Thus, the above description and examples show that the tacky finish ofthe present invention provides improved adhesion over those fabrics thatdid not contain the tacky finish. Such improved adhesion greatly reducesthe manufacturing issues associated with multiple layers of materialsstacked on top of another prior to the final curing or vulcanizationstage. Additionally, the test results illustrate that the tacky finishis able to adhere to an uncured rubber compound and provide goodadhesion to the rubber compound after curing. Accordingly, textilematerials and other articles treated with the tacky finish of thepresent invention possess a significant advantage over currentlyavailable prior art materials by allowing ease of application of thetacky finish to the materials and by improving the manufacturingprocesses for end-use articles comprising the tacky finish. As such, thepresent tacky finish and textiles and articles treated therewith presenta useful advance over the prior art.

These and other modifications and variations to the present inventionmay be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that theforegoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended tolimit the scope of the invention described in the appended claims.

1. A composition for adhering textile materials and rubber-containingarticles comprising: a) at least one resorcinol-formaldehyde-latexcomposition; and b) a tacky finish, wherein said tacky finish iscomprised of: (i) at least one tacky resin; (ii) at least oneunvulcanized rubber; and (iii) at least one adhesion promoter.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the tacky finish further includes atleast one solvent.
 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the at leastone solvent is selected from the group consisting of toluene/hydrocarbonsolvents, xylene, ethyl acetate, alcohols, ethers, and mixtures thereof.4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one adhesionpromoter includes silica.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the atleast one tacky resin is selected from the group consisting ofphenol-containing resins (such as phenol formaldehyde resin, resorcinolformaldehyde condensate, condensate of phenol derivatives with aldehydesand acetylene, terpene phenolic resins), aromatic resins, hydrocarbonresins, terpene resins, indene resins, coumarone resins, rosin-basedresins, and mixtures thereof.
 6. The composition of claim 5, wherein theat least one tacky resin is a rosin ester resin.
 7. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one unvulcanized rubber is selected fromthe group consisting of polybutadiene, polyisoprene, synthetictrans-rich polyisoprene or cis-rich polyisoprene, natural rubber,poly(styrene-co-butadiene), poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene),chloroprene, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber, hydrogenatednitrile-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber (polyisobutylene copolymers),halo-butyl rubber, and mixtures thereof.
 8. The composition of claim 1,wherein the at least one adhesion promoter is selected from the groupconsisting of formaldehyde-resorcinol condensate and/or resin,formaldehyde-phenol condensate, novolac resins, resole resins,multifunctional epoxy resin, novolac modified epoxy resin, isocyanatecompounds, blocked isocyanate resin or compounds, halogenatedresorcinol-formaldehyde resin, phenolic resins, halogenated phenolicresins, melamine-formaldehyde resins, vinylpyridine rubber latex,methylene donors such as hexamethylenetetramine andhexamethoxymethylmelamine, organofunctional silanes, and mixturesthereof.
 9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the tacky finish furtherincludes at least one antioxidant.
 10. The composition of claim 9,wherein the at least one antioxidant is selected from the groupconsisting of hindered phenol compounds, acylphenylenediamine compounds,diphenylamine compounds, mercaptan compounds, thioester compounds,thioether compounds, hydroquinoline compounds, and mixtures thereof. 11.The composition of claim 1, wherein the tacky resin is rosin ester resinand the adhesion promoter is resorcinol-formaldehyde resin.
 12. Acomposition for adhering textile materials and rubber-containingarticles comprising: a) at least one resorcinol-formaldehyde-latexcomposition and at least one tacky resin; and b) a tacky finish, whereinsaid tacky finish is comprised of: (i) at least one tacky resin; (ii) atleast one unvulcanized rubber; and (iii) at least one adhesion promoter.13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the at least one tacky resin ofthe tacky finish is a rosin ester resin and the at least one adhesionpromoter is a resorcinol-formaldehyde resin.
 14. A method for forming atextile-rubber composite having a tacky finish comprising the steps of:a) providing at least one layer of textile material; b) applying aresorcinol-formaldehyde-latex composition to at least one surface of thetextile material to form a coated textile material; c) heating/curingthe coated textile material to form a textile-rubber composite; d)applying a tacky finish to at least one surface of the textile-rubbercomposite, wherein said tacky finish comprises: (i) at least one tackyresin; (ii) at least one unvulcanized rubber; and (iii) at least oneadhesion promoter.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the tacky resinis rosin ester resin and the adhesion promoter isresorcinol-formaldehyde resin.
 16. A method for forming a textile-rubbercomposite having a tacky finish comprising the steps of: a) providing atextile material; b) applying a mixture comprising aresorcinol-formaldehyde-latex composition and a tacky resin to at leastone surface of the textile material to form a coated textile material;c) heating/curing the coated textile material to form a textile-rubbercomposite; d) applying a tacky finish to at least one surface of thetextile-rubber composite, wherein said tacky finish comprises: (i) atleast one tacky resin; (ii) at least one unvulcanized rubber; and (iii)at least one adhesion promoter.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein theat least one tacky resin of the tacky finish is a rosin ester resin andthe adhesion promoter is resorcinol-formaldehyde resin.